I hope their Club World Cup squad heavily resembles their National League squad for next year
I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.
I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.
I kind of get why Gillion and Howieson being loaned back temporarily makes some sense as they at least helped ACFC qualify but I'd hate this to become a sort of 'Players plying their trade in New Zealand Invitational 11' - It feels a bit like gaming the system to bring in players who have no intention of staying on after the Club World Cup. I kinda feel that I would like it to be legitimately Auckland City competing at the tournament as they did legitimately qualify.
I don't think it really matters if they get well beaten or not, it's just a true reflection of the fact that OFC clubs are amateur - no point pretending to be something you're not.
I get what you are saying and it all makes sense. But i think if they can make their team stronger then why not. It's professional sport, so the best players available to you should be picked.
I'd rather watch them give it a go. Than defending like Samoa vs the all whites.
Not really Auckland City any more if they go and sign half a dozen pros just to become slightly more competitive.
Takes the piss out of them being there in the first place, and the entire qualification process.
ACFC has already set a precedent in this. They have had loads of short term signings for the CWC in the past.
Eg: CWC 2014.
What did they do for that again?
If by that statement you mean "excelled" then yes I agree. My point is the NZ and PI sides at the CWC have already set a precedent of bringing in pro ring-ins for the comp. So no surprises if ACFC do it next year.
In fact, given I plan to go to these games, I want Oceania's top team to do well and not get spanked every CWC game next year.
