Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

Hopefully AWs get to play at least once this year, unlike 2020.

At least one Aussie journo thinks a NZ v Australia (men) game(s) is a possibility. Maybe A League selections when the interstate borders open up again, as they will.

Socceroos are down to play Kuwait (h) and Nepal (a) in the March window. Both games for sure under a heavy Covid cloud.

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/from...

04/01/21

The Socceroos 2021 schedule

Graham Arnold's men are currently set to end their long wait for a game on March 25 in a World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on home soil with an away trip to Nepal looming five days later.

Both of those matches are yet to have venues confirmed with the next two months likely to decide if they can be held safely and where will work best.

Following those two matches, the Socceroos are then meant to play in more World Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei on June 7 and Jordan on June 15. 

Depending on the state of affairs around the world, the green and gold could also arrange for friendlies leading up to these qualifiers with games against New Zealand the most likely option.

Australia is also still down to compete at the rescheduled Copa America to be held in June but it's now unlikely that the Socceroos will be able to compete.

To compensate for that, Australia's Under 23's will be competing at the Tokyo Olympics in late July after qualifying for the event for the first time since 2008. 

Legend
8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
Seeing the AW's play at home would be amazing, even if it is smashing an island nation. Hopefully we get a coup[le of games at Sky stadium.
First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
over 14 years

Playing Fiji in Auckland would probably generate a fairly decent crowd...

WeeNix
340
·
550
·
over 11 years

James Johnson from FA says to Simon Hill on his podcast that they are in discussions with NZ about an All whites 100 year commemoration game.

Trans tasman football might be on the horizon!

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

pierre wrote:

James Johnson from FA says to Simon Hill on his podcast that they are in discussions with NZ about an All whites 100 year commemoration game.

Trans tasman football might be on the horizon!

So that would be next year? 

Hard to see how they would fit it in, with both countries likely using every FIFA window to complete AFC/OFC qualifiers, and Inter Confed playoffs (June next year) leading up to Qatar 2022. A potential WC warmup post June next year, if either or both countries qualify?

June this year (especially as travel between NZ & Aus will be easier than most other parts of the world) could almost make more sense, even just with A League selections.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/12...

The first men’s international match between New Zealand and Australia, in Dunedin in 1922, was the first altogether for both countries, while Australia regards a match between the two in Sydney in 1979 as its first women’s international.

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years

coochiee wrote:

pierre wrote:

James Johnson from FA says to Simon Hill on his podcast that they are in discussions with NZ about an All whites 100 year commemoration game.

Trans tasman football might be on the horizon!

So that would be next year? 

Hard to see how they would fit it in, with both countries likely using every FIFA window to complete AFC/OFC qualifiers, and Inter Confed playoffs (June next year) leading up to Qatar 2022. A potential WC warmup post June next year, if either or both countries qualify?

June this year (especially as travel between NZ & Aus will be easier than most other parts of the world) could almost make more sense, even just with A League selections.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/12...

The first men’s international match between New Zealand and Australia, in Dunedin in 1922, was the first altogether for both countries, while Australia regards a match between the two in Sydney in 1979 as its first women’s international.

Curiously the latest Fifa match calendar has the World Cup draw set for April 2022, so perhaps they are now looking at having the intercontinental playoffs before then, thus freeing up June? I shall investigate.

Woof Woof
2.7K
·
19K
·
over 16 years

coochiee wrote:

pierre wrote:

James Johnson from FA says to Simon Hill on his podcast that they are in discussions with NZ about an All whites 100 year commemoration game.

Trans tasman football might be on the horizon!

So that would be next year? 

Hard to see how they would fit it in, with both countries likely using every FIFA window to complete AFC/OFC qualifiers, and Inter Confed playoffs (June next year) leading up to Qatar 2022. A potential WC warmup post June next year, if either or both countries qualify?

June this year (especially as travel between NZ & Aus will be easier than most other parts of the world) could almost make more sense, even just with A League selections.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/12...

The first men’s international match between New Zealand and Australia, in Dunedin in 1922, was the first altogether for both countries, while Australia regards a match between the two in Sydney in 1979 as its first women’s international.

Curiously the latest Fifa match calendar has the World Cup draw set for April 2022, so perhaps they are now looking at having the intercontinental playoffs before then, thus freeing up June? I shall investigate.

They could do what UEFA did for the EURO, i.e. say winner of x play-off goes to this group, winner of y playoff goes to that group.

Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years

Hopefully a few media venture along, so get some updates on what games AWs may get this year.

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/100169?ne...

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
From OFC last week...

This week, OFC’s Executive Committee agreed to reschedule the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying process that was set to begin in the FIFA International Match Calendar window in June as the proposed format is no longer achievable in that timeframe.

One potential option is to organise a competition in January 2022, keeping the FIFA International Match Calendar dates of March 21-29 available for preparation matches ahead of the Intercontinental Playoff that will take place in June 2022.

OFC will continue to work with FIFA and our Member Associations around future dates and a preferred format for the qualifying process.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
andrewvoerman
From OFC last week...

This week, OFC’s Executive Committee agreed to reschedule the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying process that was set to begin in the FIFA International Match Calendar window in June as the proposed format is no longer achievable in that timeframe.

One potential option is to organise a competition in January 2022, keeping the FIFA International Match Calendar dates of March 21-29 available for preparation matches ahead of the Intercontinental Playoff that will take place in June 2022.

OFC will continue to work with FIFA and our Member Associations around future dates and a preferred format for the qualifying process.

Wow. Hopefully AWs can get some quality friendlies, through June, Sept, Oct & Nov windows of this year.

Could actually work in Hay's favour, re prep in June 2022's intercontinental playoffs (and yes AWs first need to finish first in OFC), having above windows available for quality friendlies in Europe/Nth America (Covid permitting).

Need FIFA to make that intercontinental playoff draw soon, so NZF can think ahead a bit about what friendly opponents they may target.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Could AWs now be available to replace Socceroos for June-July's Copa America.
Longshot but wow that would be something!!

FYI - Australia were drawn with Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia & Argentina. As a player you'd be a bit nervous going to Sth America with Covid. But still wow.
Starting XI
2K
·
4.7K
·
almost 17 years
Given how fit they should be I don't think Covid would be a problem.
coochiee
Could AWs now be available to replace Socceroos for June-July's Copa America.
Longshot but wow that would be something!!

FYI - Australia were drawn with Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia & Argentina. As a player you'd be a bit nervous going to Sth America with Covid. But still wow.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
andrewvoerman
From OFC last week...

This week, OFC’s Executive Committee agreed to reschedule the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying process that was set to begin in the FIFA International Match Calendar window in June as the proposed format is no longer achievable in that timeframe.

One potential option is to organise a competition in January 2022, keeping the FIFA International Match Calendar dates of March 21-29 available for preparation matches ahead of the Intercontinental Playoff that will take place in June 2022.

OFC will continue to work with FIFA and our Member Associations around future dates and a preferred format for the qualifying process.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-confirms-schedule-changes/
See this interesting below comment, in the article. Wonder if these 'solutions' include OFC trying to join AFC for a future Nations League format - which would please FIFA.
 
In a bid to provide our Member Associations with more meaningful matches, various short and long-term solutions are currently being worked on, including the possibility of adding new competitions in 2023 and 2024 for both senior male and female national teams.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Marto
Given how fit they should be I don't think Covid would be a problem.
coochiee
Could AWs now be available to replace Socceroos for June-July's Copa America.
Longshot but wow that would be something!!

FYI - Australia were drawn with Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia & Argentina. As a player you'd be a bit nervous going to Sth America with Covid. But still wow.

No replacements found for Australia or Qatar. Wonder if NZF were approached?
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/copa-america-to-go-ahead-with-10-teams-conmebol/article34076382.ece

Hopefully a Euro/MLS AWs side can get a few pre Euros friendlies, in early June.

Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
coochiee
Marto
Given how fit they should be I don't think Covid would be a problem.
coochiee
Could AWs now be available to replace Socceroos for June-July's Copa America.
Longshot but wow that would be something!!

FYI - Australia were drawn with Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia & Argentina. As a player you'd be a bit nervous going to Sth America with Covid. But still wow.

No replacements found for Australia or Qatar. Wonder if NZF were approached?
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/copa-america-to-go-ahead-with-10-teams-conmebol/article34076382.ece

Hopefully a Euro/MLS AWs side can get a few pre Euros friendlies, in early June.

Watch this space tomorrow for an update on all things All Whites/OlyWhites, but I can't see anything happening in June.
Marquee
3.7K
·
5.4K
·
over 11 years
That's a horrible thing to do.

Nobody likes a tease!
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
From previous AV feedback sounds like Oly Whites will be restricted to warmup games in Japan pre Olympics. Maybe a camp in NZ/Aus for any players based down under.

For AWs planned friendlies (or even just camps) for Sept/Oct/Nov windows in Europe, Asia or Nth America. That's sort of what it sounds like. By then players here downunder, should have had a vaccine jab allowing them to fly up north - and will be the A League off season (if moves to winter league in 2022) so no club disruption for them by travelling afar.

By Sept will be almost 2 years since AWs last played (Nov 2019), and for many of the players, they have only played one game for the national team since Peru in 2017. Almost 4 years! 

So quality (actually any!) friendlies will be vital over those 3 windows later this year. Many of the older & younger players will be virtual strangers to each other - yet on paper with everyone available, this would be AWs most talented group ever. With a genuine shot at winning an intercontinental playoff series, esp if the CONMEBOL pot is avoided. But they need games together.
Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
MetalLegNZ
That's a horrible thing to do.

Nobody likes a tease!
Didn't intend to come off like that, oops. I won't have any information myself until tomorrow is all.
WeeNix
300
·
570
·
over 10 years
andrewvoerman
MetalLegNZ
That's a horrible thing to do.

Nobody likes a tease!
Didn't intend to come off like that, oops. I won't have any information myself until tomorrow is all.
images (3).jpeg 22.42 KB
Getting paid to be here
700
·
970
·
over 6 years
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/124575100/all-whites-to-walk-qualifying-tightrope-on-the-road-to-the-2022-fifa-world-cup

Not much news, I'm afraid, but confirmation they are still open to matches at the end of the year, including potentially in Australasia, and that there will be nothing before the the OlyWhites assemble in Japan in July.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
andrewvoerman
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/124575100/all-whites-to-walk-qualifying-tightrope-on-the-road-to-the-2022-fifa-world-cup

Not much news, I'm afraid, but confirmation they are still open to matches at the end of the year, including potentially in Australasia, and that there will be nothing before the the OlyWhites assemble in Japan in July.


"Before those windows are the Tokyo Olympics in July, where Hay’s OlyWhites squad is set to have a heavy All Whites presence, even though he is allowed just three players born before 1997 at what is predominantly an under-24 event.

Nine members of the only All Whites squad Hay has selected to date fall into that age bracket, while there are seven other eligible players have earned senior caps, and several more beyond that who will be firmly in the frame, both for the Olympics and beyond.

There are no plans for any OlyWhites activity before the team arrives in Japan ahead of the Olympics, but Hay will be hoping the time the team spends together there will pay dividends once World Cup qualifying finally gets underway."

From memory for the Olympics, clubs don't have to release their players. The football schedule at Olympics is 21st July-7th August. That's mid season in Norway (Bell), and MLS/USL (Billingsley, Mata). Then you have someone like Singh who will likely be at a new club in Europe, and in the midst of pre season trying to establish himself. Maybe will be the same with others like Cacace (will always be rumours about an Italy move), Pjinaker (loaned out by Rio Ave?) etc who could move to a new pro club over the Euro summer.

Plus over age candidates like Wood, Thomas & Reid - who I'm guessing have all, already played at an Olympics?? may just all give Tokyo a swerve. Been there done that. Plus this year doesn't seem to have the normal excitement of an Olympics due to Covid. Reid could be preparing for season in the EPL with Brentford. Thomas & PSV busy with early season UCL qualifiers.

In summary there could be host of both U24 players, and over age guys - that are unavailable for the Oympics. It maybe a weakened side that goes to Tokyo, with little real value re being a 'shadow' AWs squad.

Feel Hay & NZF really need to focus on securing some quality friendlies for those Sept/Oct/Nov windows.

Legend
6.8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
Someone was saying the Victory had 10 dodgy outfield players. Wondering who the current starting right back would be ? Surely not Fenton, L. Puskas ? Anyone else starting at RB in pro competition outside him and Roux?
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
martinb
Someone was saying the Victory had 10 dodgy outfield players. Wondering who the current starting right back would be ? Surely not Fenton, L. Puskas ? Anyone else starting at RB in pro competition outside him and Roux?

Billingsley & Kirwan (though often playing LB in Serie B).
Of course Payne and even M Boxall can play there as well.
Callan Elliot another.
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
coochiee
martinb
Someone was saying the Victory had 10 dodgy outfield players. Wondering who the current starting right back would be ? Surely not Fenton, L. Puskas ? Anyone else starting at RB in pro competition outside him and Roux?

Billingsley & Kirwan (though often playing LB in Serie B).
Of course Payne and even M Boxall can play there as well.
Callan Elliot another.
In my opinion Kirwan (though I haven’t actually seen him play) and Payne would be my first choices at right back, though it’s definitely a weak point in Hay’s 4-2-3-1, as none of Fenton, Roux, Billingsley, Elliott or Dane Ingham seem to be really standing out atm. I think Boxall should definitely be used at centre back, he’s probably second only to Reid there. 
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
You would think has to be Kirwan at the moment, given level he is at - though often on the bench or at LB in Serie B.

Billingsley is one to watch. Minnesota (MU) one of the stronger MLS clubs at the moment, and he had a tricky first pro season catching Covid, plus then being loaned out to USL side Las Vegas. But by the MLS playoffs was in the MU match day squads. Super fit by all accounts.


Legend
6.8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
Tuiloma a CB only these days? 
Is Payne better than Fenton? Louis is quicker and has better close control and movement. Payne has shown recently why his best position is CB. 
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
martinb
Tuiloma a CB only these days? 
Is Payne better than Fenton? Louis is quicker and has better close control and movement. Payne has shown recently why his best position is CB. 
He certainly gets used at Portland almost exclusively at centre back, and is probably better there, but he can definitely still play as a DM for the All Whites. Though I think Hay prefers a better ball player so players like Bell, Thomas, Stamenic etc there.

Fenton is a player I probably don’t give enough credit, as I’ve had a bit of an agenda against him as a player, but he’s been better this season, but last season for example Fenton looked suspect so should be interesting to see who would be picked.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/124697755/500-days-since-the-all-whites-last-played--what-might-a-squad-look-like-now
Surely NZF can organise some sort of friendly(ies) based in Europe, in the Sept/Oct/Nov windows later this year. Christ even a camp, and game against a club team.

Jan 2022 (OFC WC qualifying tourney) seems a long way away, and basically nil prep then going into the June 2022 intercontinental playoffs. 
Legend
8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
two batches of 500+ days between games. Absolutely insane. I get that Covid screwed us in the recent 500 day stretch but the fact that its the second time we've had this kind of gap between playing says a lot about how badly the men's team is run.
First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
over 14 years
I know the idea has been floated before, but they almost need to look at a 2 squad model - for want of better labels, Northern and Southern hemisphere.  

A squad of NZ and Aus based players (possibly South Africa too?) who could aim to play locally, perhaps the likes of Fiji, Malaysia, Indonesia etc... not amazing fixtures, but fixtures none the less to keep the players ticking over.  And then a squad for Euro and US based players, that could play in Britain or wherever, try and get opponents on the sort of Latvia Lithuania level initially...

That'd mean 40 odd players getting at least some international experience and practice, meaning when a really serious fixture rolls around you've got decent selection options.  Flying a coaching crew to the northern hemisphere, rather than half a squad or more in either direction, would probably help the cost aspect too...

Am sure some would cry "devaluing the jersey", but I'd disagree - our current talent pool would make this more viable than at any other stage in our history.  Might also raise the chance of getting some actual games again...
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Khalil Media
I know the idea has been floated before, but they almost need to look at a 2 squad model - for want of better labels, Northern and Southern hemisphere.  

A squad of NZ and Aus based players (possibly South Africa too?) who could aim to play locally, perhaps the likes of Fiji, Malaysia, Indonesia etc... not amazing fixtures, but fixtures none the less to keep the players ticking over.  And then a squad for Euro and US based players, that could play in Britain or wherever, try and get opponents on the sort of Latvia Lithuania level initially...

That'd mean 40 odd players getting at least some international experience and practice, meaning when a really serious fixture rolls around you've got decent selection options.  Flying a coaching crew to the northern hemisphere, rather than half a squad or more in either direction, would probably help the cost aspect too...

Am sure some would cry "devaluing the jersey", but I'd disagree - our current talent pool would make this more viable than at any other stage in our history.  Might also raise the chance of getting some actual games again...

Idea definitely has some merit. Most of the first choice squad are now in Europe/USA, but could be real difficulty getting players downunder from Europe in January next year, when is the mooted OFC World Cup qualifying tourney. So could end up needing a host of A League/NZ based players. And if that tourney is played in sauna conditions in one of the Island nations, you'd have to question plucking heaps of players out of mid winter Europe for a hit & run 2 weeks in the heat.

So yes lots of merit in Hay keeping a big squad active/in touch via his Zoom calls.

But rather than operating 2 squads, surely Hay and the A League contingent can head up to Europe for one or more of the Sept/Oct/Nov windows. It will be the A League off season after all, and the coaching staff & players should have had their Covid jabs by then, allowing them to return downunder without 2 weeks MIQ. Even if is just a training camp in Euro, rather than any actual games. Squad badly needs time together, to give them a chance for those June 2022 intercontinental playoffs, when whoever they play will be match hardened & have played multiple games together as a team.
Starting XI
2K
·
4.7K
·
almost 17 years
coochiee
Khalil Media
I know the idea has been floated before, but they almost need to look at a 2 squad model - for want of better labels, Northern and Southern hemisphere.  

A squad of NZ and Aus based players (possibly South Africa too?) who could aim to play locally, perhaps the likes of Fiji, Malaysia, Indonesia etc... not amazing fixtures, but fixtures none the less to keep the players ticking over.  And then a squad for Euro and US based players, that could play in Britain or wherever, try and get opponents on the sort of Latvia Lithuania level initially...

That'd mean 40 odd players getting at least some international experience and practice, meaning when a really serious fixture rolls around you've got decent selection options.  Flying a coaching crew to the northern hemisphere, rather than half a squad or more in either direction, would probably help the cost aspect too...

Am sure some would cry "devaluing the jersey", but I'd disagree - our current talent pool would make this more viable than at any other stage in our history.  Might also raise the chance of getting some actual games again...

Idea definitely has some merit. Most of the first choice squad are now in Europe/USA, but could be real difficulty getting players downunder from Europe in January next year, when is the mooted OFC World Cup qualifying tourney. So could end up needing a host of A League/NZ based players. And if that tourney is played in sauna conditions in one of the Island nations, you'd have to question plucking heaps of players out of mid winter Europe for a hit & run 2 weeks in the heat.

So yes lots of merit in Hay keeping a big squad active/in touch via his Zoom calls.

But rather than operating 2 squads, surely Hay and the A League contingent can head up to Europe for one or more of the Sept/Oct/Nov windows. It will be the A League off season after all, and the coaching staff & players should have had their Covid jabs by then, allowing them to return downunder without 2 weeks MIQ. Even if is just a training camp in Euro, rather than any actual games. Squad badly needs time together, to give them a chance for those June 2022 intercontinental playoffs, when whoever they play will be match hardened & have played multiple games together as a team.
I've had my 2 jabs in the UK due to my role but am still required to spend two weeks locked up in NZ or Australia.  Given the A League is done then I can see a proportion of the team being back in NZ and still needing to isolate on return from any game outside of Australasia. Trying to book flights and prison to align is a right nightmare.  Until Jacida wakes up and changes NZ's draconian quarantining processes to recognise immunisation, I think you can kiss goodbye to AW footie unless its a NZ based team playing an Australian based team or scraping together anyone with kiwi heritage in Europe/North America to wear the fern outside of Australasia.

All in all though I don't think we'll see an AW Fern this year, and I still have a feeling that the Olympic games are hanging in the balance no matter how hard the Japanese try to polish that turd as being Covid safe.
WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years
Are you mad? The issue of the AWs actually playing a game of....y'know.....footy....has far predated Covid. Keep politics out off it. 
WeeNix
1.6K
·
980
·
about 3 years
The discussion on the U23 thread got me thinking, since the Cook Islands travel bubble has opened, it would be good if NZF tried to get some game against them. Of course Australia would be the better choice, but they have AFC qualifiers so wouldn’t be able to. Obviously the Cooks would serve no real competitive benefit, as they are the bottom of a OFC barrel, but surely NZF needs some sort of publicity, and having a couple legs against opposition they’re likely to play competitively next year would suffice. 

There are now many NZ players in the A League that could be picked, plus guys from the local leagues, just to get actual boots-on-the-ground action with Hay, because Zoom calls are one thing, but actual match prep is another. Having one game in Auckland, for example, and another in Rarotonga, could help get players an insight to island conditions, and also a chance for New Zealanders to see the national team. Having a second-string team shouldn’t be an issue because that might have to occur in the qualifiers, and I’m sure a casual fan might recognise Chris Wood not being there, but less so an Eli Just being replaced by a guy like Alex Grieve/Monty Patterson, so probably won’t be too off-put.

The last game the All Whites played in New Zealand was in 2017, I was in high school then and have since finished university, so very much the term beggars can’t be choosers applies now more than ever. Since the All Whites last played in New Zealand, the All Blacks have played 11 home matches, and the Blackcaps upwards of 50 or 60. The competitive gulf would obviously be large, but you see those two sports often host teams that are clearly weaker, think ABs games against Fiji/Samoa/Tonga and Blackcaps against Zimbabwe, and that acts as no detriment to anything.

It would have the potential to be good entrances for guys like Waine, Sutton, Stensness and the players who have been pulling trees in Northern and Central Leagues, I’ve seen Danny Hay at several Northern League games, so I know he has a rough idea of who’s doing what. Get guys like Marinovic, Payne, Barbarouses to lead the team, do media etc and get the All Whites brand into the conscious of more than just that of the diehards. If they tried hard enough they might get close to the hype the Phoenix currently have from their prolonged absence.

I have no doubt that, even if NZF have considered it an option, they would put it into the too difficult box, but surely they have a desire to do something, even if it doesn’t give “progress” or act as preparation for teams they might play in a tournament or intercontinental playoff. I’m just pretty keen to watch them play, and there’s only so many times you watch Youtube highlights on the All Whites History channel of the games from 2017 before you get bored of them.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
Like your thinking in many ways, but for competitive/marketing value the Cooks would be next to useless.

Approach the FFA, and try organise a home & away 2 game series of fixtures - A League Socceroos verus A League/domestic All Whites. Say in mid-late August before the A League pre season starts. Sept FIFA window is 30th Aug-7th Sept, when Socceroos will no doubt have AFC qualifying games (if they make it to next phase qualifying).

When is the last time any form of Socceroos team played in NZ? Close to 20 years ago? That alone should get a reasonable crowd to Albany or the ROF.

Have the Australian game in Darwin or Cairns to simulate the climate in the Islands, if that January OFC tourney ends up going somewhere in the Pacific. Definitely some value to Hay, and hopefully also to Arnold as he casts the net wide to prepare for his AFC WC qualifying campaign.

It does sound that Olywhites will play Olyroos in Japan, in a warmup pre Olympics starting. So that is some small good news.
Legend
8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
any AW games would be nice - but it wont happen
First Team Squad
1.2K
·
1K
·
over 14 years
 [there’s only so many times you watch Youtube highlights on the All Whites History channel of the games from 2017 before you get bored of them. ]

sorry, I'll try and get some new games up there, been a bit busy.
Legend
11K
·
21K
·
almost 9 years
So some hope AWs may play in 2021.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/125160480/nz-football-records-large-surplus-in-2020-but-already-has-plans-for-spending-it

Pragnell said he would be “disappointed” if the Ferns – and the All Whites national men’s team – weren’t seen in action in the latter half of the year, where there are several windows for international matches to be played.

But the wait for home fixtures – something the Ferns haven’t had since 2018, and the All Whites haven’t had since 2017 – is set to continue at least as long as the mandatory 14-day stay in managed isolation for arrivals to New Zealand remains in place.

“I'd be really disappointed if neither of the senior sides were able to play in the back half of the year,” Pragnell said on Friday.

Starting XI
910
·
2.3K
·
almost 12 years
Absolutely no chance the govt gets rid of MIQ before the end of the year imo.

You’ll need an account to join the conversation!

Sign in Sign up