I believe that City also have an AFC Champions League clash in Japan only four days after this Auckland match and suspect that things are coming down to the wire for them in terms of making it out of the group after losing to Papas' Buriram United at home.
Makes you wonder if any key players – especially Behich and/or Maclaren – might skip the trip to New Zealand altogether.
Makes you wonder if any key players – especially Behich and/or Maclaren – might skip the trip to New Zealand altogether.
Yipe City play Michael Woud's Ventforet Kofu in Japan next Wednesday 29th, and it is a very important ACL match for City.
Maclaren (age 30) & Behich (32) are with the Socceroos in Kuwait, who play Palestine late tomorrow night. Big ask then to fly Kuwait-NZ-Japan for 3 games of football in 6 days. Plus they have just flown to Kuwait from Aussie. They did both just play half a game against Bangladesh. An emotional Palestine will be tougher you think, so Arnie will roll out a 1st choice starting 11.
Good weekend for Nix to host City I reckon.