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Posted November 15, 2013 03:48 · last edited November 15, 2013 03:51

Big Pete 65 wrote:

I agree with you on everything else (although if FIFA gave Asia a fifth automatic spot in the World Cup they couldn't have grounds to object to the Oceania winner joining the last round of Asian qualifying).

But I disagree with your statement the All Whites would sit about 12th in Asia - Asia's not that strong as we proved  in 2009 against their fifth best team in qualifying, Bahrain.

Here are the current top-ten ranked Asian sides in the FIFA rankings - I feel we're only worse than the top five - we'd be sixth on that list, between Australia and Jordan in terms of ability. On a good day we could give Iran and Uzbekistan a run for their money.

The UAE, although they beat us in the OSN Cup in September are beatable, as are Oman, China and the Saudis (as we proved).

In other words, there's some cause for opitimism, post these qualifiers and post Herbert.

I believe with a new manager and better player selection and tactics, the All Whites will improve a lot with the excellent talent coming through.

Asian Ranking   Country        FIFA.Rnk       Points    

1                    Japan               44                634pts

2              Iran                      49               613pts 
3            Uzbekistan          55              582pts

4                  Korea Republic    56            569pts

5                          Australia         57           564pts  

6                               Jordan      70           502pts 

7            United Arab Emirates  71           496pts

 8                                 Oman     92          381pts

9                               China P     97           365pts

10                       Saudi Arabia  101          338pts



I also agree with Big Pete that we would be bit more competitive in the long run. Of all teams in AFC that I have consistently seen play, only Japan, Iran and possibly Sth Korea play currently consistently well, unless I am mistaken. Others (Australia, Uzbekistan) have unexpected shockers now and then. We probably might too with a coach like Ricki in his current mindset; but so was Australia under Osieck (inconsistent).

I know it is only a theoretical discussion, but if New Zealand was allowed to play in Asian Confederation like Australia, we would have a pretty good level competition every four years (the Asian Cup) with a number of decent games, to play in. We'd also have better qualifying games for the WC and the olympic games.
Yes it would be more expensive for travel, unless regional sectors (West Asia, East Asia) were set up. On the positive side we would not have the meaningless qualifiers against the Pacific teams followed by a two-game heartbreak playoff against a CONCACAF team or such.  In contrast, through OFC we have the more secure opportunity of playing at the Confederations Cup (oh, wait...).

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Mainland FC edited November 15, 2013 03:51
Big Pete 65 wrote:

I agree with you on everything else (although if FIFA gave Asia a fifth automatic spot in the World Cup they couldn't have grounds to object to the Oceania winner joining the last round of Asian qualifying).

But I disagree with your statement the All Whites would sit about 12th in Asia - Asia's not that strong as we proved  in 2009 against their fifth best team in qualifying, Bahrain.

Here are the current top-ten ranked Asian sides in the FIFA rankings - I feel we're only worse than the top five - we'd be sixth on that list, between Australia and Jordan in terms of ability. On a good day we could give Iran and Uzbekistan a run for their money.

The UAE, although they beat us in the OSN Cup in September are beatable, as are Oman, China and the Saudis (as we proved).

In other words, there's some cause for opitimism, post these qualifiers and post Herbert.

I believe with a new manager and better player selection and tactics, the All Whites will improve a lot with the excellent talent coming through.

Asian Ranking   Country        FIFA.Rnk       Points    

1                    Japan               44                634pts

2              Iran                      49               613pts 
3            Uzbekistan          55              582pts

4                  Korea Republic    56            569pts

5                          Australia         57           564pts  

6                               Jordan      70           502pts 

7            United Arab Emirates  71           496pts

 8                                 Oman     92          381pts

9                               China P     97           365pts

10                       Saudi Arabia  101          338pts



I also agree with Big Pete that we would be bit more competitive in the long run. Of all teams in AFC that I have consistently seen play, only Japan, Iran and possibly Sth Korea play currently consistently well, unless I am mistaken. Others (Australia, Uzbekistan) have unexpected shockers now and then. We probably might too with a coach like Ricki in his current mindset; but so was Australia under Osieck (inconsistent).

I know it is only a theoretical discussion, but if New Zealand was allowed to play in Asian Confederation like Australia, we would have a pretty good level competition every four years (the Asian Cup) with a number of decent games, to play in, and more qualifying games, etc. Yes it would be more expensive, but we would not have to have the elimination via Pacific teams followed by a playoff against a CONCACAF team or such.  In contrast, through OFC we have the more secure opportunity of playing at the Confederations Cup (oh, wait...).