I knew we’d regret losing Chale… And in other news:
Auckland FC chase FIFA riches, despite travel warnings
Auckland FC chase FIFA riches, despite travel warnings
Auckland FC are chasing FIFA riches at the Intercontinental Cup in Jeddah, despite government warnings.
After winning the inaugural OFC Pro-League in June, Auckland FC booked their place in the opening match of the annual knockout tournament featuring the champion club sides from all six FIFA confederations.
Their first match is against the Asian confederation winners, Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, on 27 August.
To play this game Auckland FC will go to a region that the New Zealand Government has advised to avoid non-essential travel to.
Auckland FC chief executive officer Nick Becker said the trip was "essential for the club, definitely".
"For us to be able to play on this global stage is a huge privilege and something that everybody has worked really hard for, so in that sense of things it is incredibly important for the club.
"We're confident that it's fine [to travel], we'd obviously never put our players and staff in unnecessary danger and we've been given assurances that we'll be absolutely fine when we get there."