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.