Like who? an Asian team? That would be meaningless as we don't have an Asian team in the WC.
There have been a couple of instances when Ricki has been away prior to a game. Trani and Gould have coped with it. Lke I say not ideal. But NZF need to make decisions that are best for them.
New Zealand are playing Australia...technically they are an Asian team
He's usually not away for this long though is he? I'm unsure how necessary this trip to South Africa this week is when he has from March 21st (at the latest) until June to make that same trip?
My complaints are basically down to worry. I am worried that the international players will be knackered and jet lagged on the Sunday. I have done Sydney to LA flight and I was all over the place for 24 hours at least and generally felt like crap. Alas, I am not quite as fit as your average professional footballer, but still!
edit - and now I've just realised what the headline could be on the Monday 'Phoenix suffer JETS lag'
Steve-O2010-02-22 20:21:03
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone