Thailand & Indonesia friendlies confirmed
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All Whites, Ferns, and other international teams
Thailand & Indonesia friendlies confirmed
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Road to South Africa enters final straight
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February 5, 2009
AUCKLAND
� New Zealand will play Thailand and Indonesia in the first two of up
to 10 internationals in a busy 2009 that culminates in a home and away
playoff for a place in the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa.
The matches against Thailand in Bangkok on March 28, and Indonesia in Jakarta on April 1 bring to seven the number of assured fixtures for the All Whites this year with FIFA Confederations Cup matches against Spain, Iraq and hosts South Africa in June priming the team for the World Cup playoff against a yet-to-determined Asian nation in October and November.
New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading said the organisation planned to make use of all remaining FIFA international windows � during which clubs are required to release players for international duty � to fill any remaining slots on New Zealand�s dance card.
�There are more FIFA windows at the beginning of June, in August and also in September, and we plan to take advantage of every opportunity to give the All Whites the best possible chance of qualifying for the World Cup,� Glading said.
After respective home draws against Iran and Australia last week, Thailand and Indonesia will provide a testing re-introduction to international football for the All Whites, but head coach Ricki Herbert was more than happy to �get the ball rolling.�
�It gives us momentum and clarity around our programme for the year. We�ve filled a window that we want to fill, so credit to the organisation for getting two challenging fixtures in the right part of the world for us� Herbert said.
�Many players will be coming off the back-end of seasons and some will have had some time off, but it�ll give us a small taste of the crowds and conditions we might face later.
Meanwhile, Glading was keeping his cards close to his chest about who or where New Zealand would play in the FIFA windows, but said decisions would be based with the World Cup playoff in mind.
�The quality of opposition will be a factor, as will getting a taste of certain environments but we�ll work with Ricki on piecing together a programme that gives us the best chance of qualifying in 2010.
�We�re in talks with a number of associations about fixtures and with New Zealand�s stock on the rise, discussions have been very promising and there�s potential for some very high-profile matches.�
New Zealand�s confirmed 2009 Schedule
March 28
New Zealand v Thailand
International Friendly, Bangkok
April 1
New Zealand v Indonesia
International Friendly, Jakarta
June 14-28
FIFA Confederations Cup, South Africa
New Zealand v Spain
June 15 (NZT), Rustenburg
New Zealand v South Africa
June 18 (NZT), Rustenburg
New Zealand v Iraq
June 21 (NZT), Johannesburg
October 10-14
Oceania-Asia World Cup Playoff, first leg
Date, location and opposition tbd
November 14-18
Oceania-Asia World Cup Playoff, second leg
Date, location and opposition tbd
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Why is there a month between the first and second legs of the playoff?
Three for me, and two for them.
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Why is there a month between the first and second legs of the playoff?
Thats a very good point. Every other play Home & away has had a minimal gap of 1 week. This is a little suspect unless it was the OFC choice.
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That's a mistake in the source. The Asian play-off to determine the 5th place team is in October, and the Oceania/Asia playoff to determine the spot at the World Cup will be in November.
If that release comes from NZF, it's no wonder they've been in such financial strife when they have numpties like that working for them.
If that release comes from NZF, it's no wonder they've been in such financial strife when they have numpties like that working for them.
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Its looking very promising fore N.Z football the the moment, maybe we can get a home friendly before the play offs?
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That's a mistake in the source. The Asian play-off to determine the 5th place team is in October, and the Oceania/Asia playoff to determine the spot at the World Cup will be in November.
If that release comes from NZF, it's no wonder they've been in such financial strife when they have numpties like that working for them.
If that release comes from NZF, it's no wonder they've been in such financial strife when they have numpties like that working for them.
sh*t. Our leg better be before November 15th or otherwise I can't go
Stupid Exams.
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Good to have friendlies but these are about lame really.
Was hoping it would be more like Iran, Saudi Arabia, China etc...
Bring on some home friendlies (Don't see that happening though)
Was hoping it would be more like Iran, Saudi Arabia, China etc...
Bring on some home friendlies (Don't see that happening though)
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Was hoping it would be more like Iran, Saudi Arabia, China etc...
Yeah, they're all lining up to play us...you gotta take what you can get if you're the AWs.
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Whites, but head coach Ricki Herbert was more than happy to �get the
ball rolling.�
�It gives us momentum and
clarity around our programme for the year. We�ve filled a window that
we want to fill, so credit to the organisation for getting two
challenging fixtures in the right part of the world for us� Herbert
said
Funny as i read these friendly games are all expenses paid trips??? I dont know why NZF are getting credit - its not like they had to pay for it.
Maybe Hoover-Lips can shine some light on this subject.
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NZF will almost certainly be funding, in part, the cost of playing the friendlies.
Typically the home country will make a contribution to costs based on ticket and TV revenue, which is why home friendlies for us are such a rarity - we make no money from either but still have to chip in for some of the other team's costs.
Typically the home country will make a contribution to costs based on ticket and TV revenue, which is why home friendlies for us are such a rarity - we make no money from either but still have to chip in for some of the other team's costs.
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
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