Getting paid to be here
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coochiee
watching_from_far
Wasn't Ryan Nelsen at that as well?

Seems so. Wonder what Nellie thinks about a 48 team and/or biennial World Cup. Might be a story in there for NZ football reporter. Any insights into Infantino helping countries like NZ (AWs) getting more regular games, etc etc etc

New Zealand Football Retweeted
Chris Chang @ChrisChang

Spot the @NZ_Football legend among a few heavyweights of the game… 


https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/451160/all-whites-legend-world-cup-change-amazing-opportunity
Legend
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Seems Infantino is now ditching the Global Nations League concept, in favour of a biennial WC. Personally I still like the idea of a combined AFC/OFC Nations League - sort of idea Infantino was pushing pre covid to give smaller countries regular games - as that could give AWs constant competitive H&A fixtures in say the first 2 years of a WC cycle, before then moving to OFC World Cup qualifying. Most importantly having the AWs play a few times per year at home, in meaningful games.

A 48 team biennial WC, would still not have AWs playing regular quality competitive games at home, if stay in the OFC Confed. It would be Lithuania or Ireland 'B' in Europe for friendlies, then New Caledonia & Fiji back in NZ. Then 2 World Cup pool games, at 3am NZ time. Remembering that a 48 team WC is mooted to be 16 pools of 3 teams each (so 2 games unless progress out of the pool).

But at least changes are being debated, and the various different options do look better than current situation for the AWs I guess. Though will miss the excitement of the 4 yearly Intercontinental Playoff home game. Only a combined OFC/East AFC Nations League setup with pro/rel, I reckon could come close to replicating that, if NZ stay in OFC and the WC expands to 48 teams. AWs needing to beat Sth Korea at the ROF, to stay in Division A, or make the final verus Socceroos or whatever.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/451160/all-whites-legend-world-cup-change-amazing-opportunity

Among that group of stars, which included the likes of Brazilians Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos and Englishmen John Terry and Michael Owen, was New Zealand's Ryan Nelsen.

The former All Whites captain led the team to the 2010 World Cup, the second of just two appearances the country had made at the event.

The latter just one reason Nelsen was backing the idea to alter the cycle of the world's biggest sports tournament, with continental championships held in the 'in-between' years.

"Some will say it devalues it. But does it?" the veteran of almost a decade in the English Premier League told RNZ.

"The Champions League, NBA, Super Bowl are all every year and it doesn't devalue them.

"It's the greatest sporting event on earth ... [but] 90 per cent of the world's countries don't get to go to the World Cup.

"In a way it's actually too prestigious." 

Many European administrators and fans had made their opposition clear and the president of the confederation's governing body UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, had expressed "grave concerns".

But 166 of Fifa's 211 national associations weren't so dismissive, voting in May for the ongoing feasibility study to go ahead.

Nelsen said that was good news for the country he represented 49 times, which would benefit if the idea became reality.

"Imagine New Zealand potentially vying for a World Cup every two years … think what that does for the football community.

"What is also does is bring extra revenue that gets distributed around the world so all these countries can build better foundations and structure.

"New Zealand Football will be able to have better academies, the coaching will get better and it will bring everybody up. 

Another key component to the proposal was eliminating many of the 'friendly' matches played between international teams.

"The meaningless friendly, where players have to fly all around the world … are fans really that interested?"

Nelsen urged football fans to look to the future as they considered the idea.

He said the World Cup had only been played every four years because organisers had copied the Olympic calendar, which was implemented when travelling across the world meant six months on a ship.

"The world is moving at quicker pace now. It's smaller.

"Just because it's happened for the last 50 years, doesn't mean it's right. We've got to be progressive enough to say 'OK, what is it going to look like in 20, 30, 40 or 50 years' time'.

"I love this type of thinking because it's looking to the future. It's not just saying we've done this before so it's fine, we'll keep doing it."

Excluding 1942 and 1946 because of World War II, the men's World Cup had been a four-yearly tournament since the inaugural event in 1930.

Legend
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The only I don’t understand is when he says the AWs play friendlies 
Starting XI
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NZ aka the AW wont be going to another World Cup until it becomes a 40ish comp so who cares if its a 4 year cycle or 2 year. Still in Oceania, still playing the same pacific island nations with the same results.
Yeah no thanks. 
Legend
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See that NZ is to launch a new MIQ booking system on Monday.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/126392958/covid19-how-the-new-miq-booking-system-works

Wonder if they almost total lack of MIQ spaces available pre Xmas, has been a major factor in NZF being unable to lock in any AWs games Oct/Nov windows?

No rooms to be booked in the MIQ inn, and no NZF coaching/support staff prepared to stay in Europe for 3-4 months until that planned Jan OFC tourney in the Middle East - now that would be a major problem, if you can't get Hay and any other NZ based staff a spot in MIQ, especially for the Oct window. If the Jan tourney gets locked in, I guess some of the staffers maybe prepared to stay up in the Northern Hemisphere from Nov window onwards, ie maybe only 2.5 months odd away from NZ whanau etc.

But hopefully NZF can get online on Monday and book some pre Xmas MIQ spots.

From memory in the AWs coaching setup, Rory Falloon and Jason Batty (also GK coach at Nashville FC) are based outside NZ. Could you have a camp in the Oct window at Swansea overseen by Rory, with Swans trainers, physios, team doctors etc etc to provide the other support staff? Hay to Zoom in from Albany now & again. Throw in a local game against Wales 'B' or someone.

Be useful for planning to also finally get some clarity on that mooted OFC qualifying tourney. Is it going to happen? Where & when?  This obviously affects NZF's and Hay's planning around should they try for Oct/Nov friendlies in Europe/Middle East, or not.

Have some sympathy for NZF trying to work through all this stuff.



Getting paid to be here
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coochiee
See that NZ is to launch a new MIQ booking system on Monday.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/126392958/covid19-how-the-new-miq-booking-system-works

Wonder if they almost total lack of MIQ spaces available pre Xmas, has been a major factor in NZF being unable to lock in any AWs games Oct/Nov windows?

No rooms to be booked in the MIQ inn, and no NZF coaching/support staff prepared to stay in Europe for 3-4 months until that planned Jan OFC tourney in the Middle East - now that would be a major problem, if you can't get Hay and any other NZ based staff a spot in MIQ, especially for the Oct window. If the Jan tourney gets locked in, I guess some of the staffers maybe prepared to stay up in the Northern Hemisphere from Nov window onwards, ie maybe only 2.5 months odd away from NZ whanau etc.

But hopefully NZF can get online on Monday and book some pre Xmas MIQ spots.

From memory in the AWs coaching setup, Rory Falloon and Jason Batty (also GK coach at Nashville FC) are based outside NZ. Could you have a camp in the Oct window at Swansea overseen by Rory, with Swans trainers, physios, team doctors etc etc to provide the other support staff? Hay to Zoom in from Albany now & again. Throw in a local game against Wales 'B' or someone.

Be useful for planning to also finally get some clarity on that mooted OFC qualifying tourney. Is it going to happen? Where & when?  This obviously affects NZF's and Hay's planning around should they try for Oct/Nov friendlies in Europe/Middle East, or not.

Have some sympathy for NZF trying to work through all this stuff.




October 4 (the start of the next international window) looks to be the date for clarity around World Cup qualifying. 
Legend
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Read somewhere that if OFC, can't make this Jan 2022 qualifying tourney happen, then AWs will just be given OFC's spot for the Intercontinental Playoffs, by virtue of the being the highest ranked team in the OFC. That would be a shame.

You would also hope the Intercontinental Playoff draw is made soon by FIFA. As that will have some influence on friendlies NZF/Hay will want to target.
Legend
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There’s also discontent brewing with entertainers and sports people getting priority options in MIQ so that’s going to make things tricky for the Nix moving people.
Getting paid to be here
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coochiee
Read somewhere that if OFC, can't make this Jan 2022 qualifying tourney happen, then AWs will just be given OFC's spot for the Intercontinental Playoffs, by virtue of the being the highest ranked team in the OFC. That would be a shame 
That has been reported, but I'd love to see what Fifa would make of that idea. Hopefully something is viable, whether in January and/or March.

As for the All Whites and the October international window, let's just say I'm still expecting that to be a busy week, personally. Hopefully confirmation of some matches soon.
Legend
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andrewvoerman
coochiee
Read somewhere that if OFC, can't make this Jan 2022 qualifying tourney happen, then AWs will just be given OFC's spot for the Intercontinental Playoffs, by virtue of the being the highest ranked team in the OFC. That would be a shame 
That has been reported, but I'd love to see what Fifa would make of that idea. Hopefully something is viable, whether in January and/or March.

As for the All Whites and the October international window, let's just say I'm still expecting that to be a busy week, personally. Hopefully confirmation of some matches soon.

NZF/Hay will really want that OFC tourney played in January I imagine, so freeing up the March window for 1-2 quality tough friendlies hopefully. 

Playing Peru/Panama/UAE or whoever over 2 legs in June, on the back of just sweeping the OFC teams in March would be very poor prep. Hay may also have more problems getting a full strength squad together for long 3 weeks of a OFC tourney in March, as opposed to January when many Euro leagues are on a winter break & MLS is in it's off season.

Sure FIFA may make a 3 week OFC March tourney mandated for clubs to release their players, but try telling that to Helsingor's coach as in March they get down to the pointy end of their Danish season in a tight promotion battle, and he faces being without his Kiwi stars. Similar coach Heath at Minnesota not wanting Boxall to miss pre/early season MLS.

And fingers crossed for matches in the Oct window.
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martinb
There’s also discontent brewing with entertainers and sports people getting priority options in MIQ so that’s going to make things tricky for the Nix moving people.

Nix have always said they haven't sought any favours this season from NZ MIQ, just looking to find slots online like everyone else.

But really their near future issues will be with the Australian MIQ season, and trying to find bookings there for any new visa players. I imagine they have given up trying to get any new visa players, plus Piscopo & Pennington into NZ. What's the point of P & P doing 2 weeks in a small NZ hotel room, when the main Nix squad will likely join them sometime next 3-5 weeks in Aussie. I guess they could try get vias guys into NZ ASAP, if they find slots min 2 weeks before they leave for Aussie, and a likely 'soft quarantine' with daily training allowed in NSW or wherever upon arrival.

Obviously Nix will then only return to NZ when the TT bubble is reopened, so their problems with NZ MIQ should hopefully be finished.
Legend
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Update from OFC. As above I don't think a March 2022, OFC tourney will be great for the AWs. January I think would be better.

Hopefully Intercontinental Playoffs would be played in the later half of June, allowing at least 1 quality warmup friendly in late May/early June - like the Socceroos if they are not involved in the Playoffs themselves (as they were in 2017), and the AWs have their first playoff leg at home. So could bring Socceroos across the pond for a good warmup game, in midst of a nice long 2 week camp in NZ.

And NZF will definitely need to somehow book some pre Xmas MIQ spots for NZ based AWs staff including Hay, if they secure some Oct/Nov friendlies. They won't be hanging around up north until March!

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-update-on-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-oceania-qualifiers/

In response to logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Oceania Football Confederation is exploring the opportunity to play the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Oceania Qualifiers in Qatar early next year.

On September 15 agreement was reached by the OFC Executive Committee that it was not possible at this time to organise a qualifying competition within the Oceania region. 

Following prior extensive discussions between OFC, AFC and FIFA, the OFC Executive Committee approved that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Oceania Qualifiers be played in Qatar in March 2022, pending further FIFA approval.  

Legend
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One potential positive of a March OFC tourney, could be getting some A League players over to Qatar. That's if by March 2022, Australia and NZ allow fully vaccinated people who travel to and back, from a list of countries with low Covid numbers (which could incl Qatar), to avoid 2 weeks MIQ upon return.

So if was say a 3 week tourney, you could have a large 30 man squad split over Euro/MLS based players, plus some from the A League. Maybe the A League guys mostly play the pool games - where presumably the AWs need to only finish 2nd of a 5-6 team pool to make semis - then some of the Euro guys come in for the last week of the semis onwards, so not upsetting their Euro clubs too much at the business end of their club seasons.

For example Kosta plays the pool games, then returns to Oz, and Wood comes in for the semi/final. Just an idea, that would be totally dependent on MIQ requirements being relaxed for some overseas countries.

Advantage being Hay then has some actual coaching time with guys like Rojas, Kosta, Payne, Rufer, Fenton, Sail, Roux etc who he hasn't had on the grass since Nov 2019. Some of whom will definitely be in the frame for those 2 huge games June 2022. In fact he's never coached Kosta, or Sail I think.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/126407745/all-whites-2022-world-cup-quest-set-to-start-in-qatar-in-march-pending-fifa-approval

There was no information available as to why it was now looking to hold them in March, rather than in January, as previously indicated. There is a nine-day Fifa window that month, from the 21st to the 29th, where players have to be released by their clubs, but it could take another week or more to complete a qualification tournament, depending on how many teams take part.

It is possible Fifa could make the release of players mandatory for a longer period as part of the process of approving OFC’s plans, but if it didn’t, the All Whites would be disproportionately affected, given New Zealand’s outsized representation in the professional game relative to that of its regional rivals.

Starting XI
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coochiee
watching_from_far
Wasn't Ryan Nelsen at that as well?

Seems so. Wonder what Nellie thinks about a 48 team and/or biennial World Cup. Might be a story in there for NZ football reporter. Any insights into Infantino helping countries like NZ (AWs) getting more regular games, etc etc etc

New Zealand Football Retweeted
Chris Chang @ChrisChang

Spot the @NZ_Football legend among a few heavyweights of the game… 

He supports it https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2021/09/football-former-all-whites-skipper-ryan-nelson-stands-firmly-behind-fifa-s-biennial-world-cup-proposal.html
Legend
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https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-embrace-talks-with-fifa-regarding-international-match-calendars/
The Oceania Football Confederation is welcoming discussions initiated by FIFA, regarding its participation in the consultation process around the review and development of a new women’s and men’s FIFA International Match Calendar.

OFC will meet with FIFA next week.  
WeeNix
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The JourneyFan
coochiee
watching_from_far
Wasn't Ryan Nelsen at that as well?

Seems so. Wonder what Nellie thinks about a 48 team and/or biennial World Cup. Might be a story in there for NZ football reporter. Any insights into Infantino helping countries like NZ (AWs) getting more regular games, etc etc etc

New Zealand Football Retweeted
Chris Chang @ChrisChang

Spot the @NZ_Football legend among a few heavyweights of the game… 

He supports it https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2021/09/football-former-all-whites-skipper-ryan-nelson-stands-firmly-behind-fifa-s-biennial-world-cup-proposal.html

Unusual that a FIFA pretend think-tank has found that the World Cup should be every two years, therefore putting more money in FIFA's backpocket. Who would have thought?
Starting XI
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The UK is likely going to scrap Covid tests for travellers today.  Great news for those of us here in Blighty but that will mean a spike in Covid cases in the UAE and Qatar and other winter sun destinations. 

Unless NZ stops being a hermit with Covid, I can see NZF having major issues trying to play games in January/March in the middle East when many Europeans will be there catching up on 2 years of sunshine.
Starting XI
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I think we/NZF should forget the 2022 WC.  

The team has had no meaningful time together in years and even the games in 2019 were not all of our best players.  

We will (hopefully) represent Oceania in the playoffs but will be completely undercooked unlike the rest of the playoff teams who played through Covid.

Sounds super negative but "thems the breaks" I think.
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Marto
I think we/NZF should forget the 2022 WC.  

The team has had no meaningful time together in years and even the games in 2019 were not all of our best players.  

We will (hopefully) represent Oceania in the playoffs but will be completely undercooked unlike the rest of the playoff teams who played through Covid.

Sounds super negative but "thems the breaks" I think.
I mean obviously you still try to qualify for it via the playoff but yeah, we're really up against it. If CONMEBOL again, we're doomed simple as, if AFC/CONCACAF, wait and see I guess but still not hopeful. 

Think the whole coronavirus pandemic has shown OFC up as the pathetic shambles of a confederation that shouldn't exist that it is. Unfortunately I can't see substantial improvement of our national team unless the confederations are revisited which by all signs they won't be. 

NZF prefer to get a gifted spot at WCs from 2026 onwards than to have a proper national team that plays matches on the regular... I'd much rather we have the latter and then qualify for the WC when we actually deserve it. 
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Also I was taking a look at international competitive fixtures played by nations... and came to the discovery that England have played FORTY competitive internationals since the All Whites last even played one. Additionally, England will play more competitive matches total in 2021 than the All Whites have stretching all the way back to 2014. 
Legend
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Marto
I think we/NZF should forget the 2022 WC.  

The team has had no meaningful time together in years and even the games in 2019 were not all of our best players.  

We will (hopefully) represent Oceania in the playoffs but will be completely undercooked unlike the rest of the playoff teams who played through Covid.

Sounds super negative but "thems the breaks" I think.

Ridiculous. The way the Olywhites went is far more relevant than those 2 games in 2019 (when Hay literally had only 3-4 training sessions before they played), and they finished very promisingly against Japan at the Olympics. Draw a CONCACAF opponent and a real chance I reckon. AFC less so, and CONMEBOL will be very tough.

Early days WC qualifying other Confederations but these are the teams the AWs would face as at today in the Intercontinental Playoffs, if they won through OFC.

Panama (FIFA ranking 68) are currently 4th in CONCACAF. Definitely beatable. Don't think they would fancy a night game in NZ in June much. Canada (51) are 2nd in CONCACAF (on GD from USA & Panama), but yeah only 3 games into 14 rounds of qualifying.

UAE (69) & Japan (26) currently 3rd in each of the AFC pools. 3rd placed pool teams playoff to grab the AFC Intercontinental Playoff spot. Japan obviously tough. UAE less so. Another Bahrain?

Colombia (16) currently 5th in CONMEBOL. Obviously very tough whoever it is. Won't be Brazil (8W from 8) nor likely Argentina (5W 3D). But we pushed Peru closer than nearly everyone thought, and this is much better AWs midfield than 2017. But yeah big longshots if draw a Sth American side.


For sure the AWs need games, and not just against the Islands. They will be under dogs whoever they play June 2022. 

But as above a night home tie in June in NZ could be interesting!!  Not sure if AWs would want a cold, wet icy, windy night or not. With their best midfield ever now, not sure those conditions would suit. But the Bahrainis struggled in the Welly wind, so any advantage I guess.

Legend
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Marto
The UK is likely going to scrap Covid tests for travellers today.  Great news for those of us here in Blighty but that will mean a spike in Covid cases in the UAE and Qatar and other winter sun destinations. 

Unless NZ stops being a hermit with Covid, I can see NZF having major issues trying to play games in January/March in the middle East when many Europeans will be there catching up on 2 years of sunshine.

A January OFC tourney will be an AWs squad drawn 100% from Europe and USA.

With a later March tourney, I reckon there might be a small chance of getting some A League guys involved, if Qatar was put onto some list of countries with low Covid, and you could return to Aus and NZ without having to do 2 weeks MIQ.  But if there is lots of Covid in Qatar that idea rightly goes out the window.

Unless USA and European countries put Qatar down as Covid high risk, so making travel to & from Qatar difficult - tourney should go ahead from an AWs angle.


Getting paid to be here
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Sunday, October 10, 5am NZ time v Curaçao.
Sunday, October 13, 5am NZ time v Bahrain.


Both matches in Manama, Bahrain.

This is literally the strongest possible set of matches New Zealand Football could have secured in the October international window.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/126412500/all-whites-to-play-first-matches-since-2019-during-october-international-window
WeeNix
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While a little underwhelming especially Curacao  at least we have some games.
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watching_from_far
While a little underwhelming especially Curacao  at least we have some games.

Wonder if we'll see Roly turn up for Curacao, seeing he's already in the middle east.
WeeNix
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watching_from_far
While a little underwhelming especially Curacao  at least we have some games.
Curacao will be hard for us to get a result! Don't most of them play in the Eredivisie?
Starting XI
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I absolutely wouldn’t call Curaçao underwhelming
and 3 others
Opinion Privileges revoked
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Marto
The UK is likely going to scrap Covid tests for travellers today.  Great news for those of us here in Blighty but that will mean a spike in Covid cases in the UAE and Qatar and other winter sun destinations. 

Unless NZ stops being a hermit with Covid, I can see NZF having major issues trying to play games in January/March in the middle East when many Europeans will be there catching up on 2 years of sunshine.
Yeah, let's let 1000+ people die of COVID so you can see more football games

Jog on.
Legend
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andrewvoerman
Sunday, October 10, 5am NZ time v Curaçao.
Sunday, October 13, 5am NZ time v Bahrain.


Both matches in Manama, Bahrain.

This is literally the strongest possible set of matches New Zealand Football could have secured in the October international window.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/126412500/all-whites-to-play-first-matches-since-2019-during-october-international-window

Really good news, and well done NZF. Would have been challenging putting this together. Nice to face a team from each of AFC & CONCACAF. Even better news as seems below some games in the Nov window also sound likely.

However as well as Thomas, I'd say Tuiloma and Boxall are also unlikely for October.

Minnesota (8th in the West - just out of the MLS playoffs) play Oct 11th & Oct 17th. Portland (6th in the West) play Oct 17th. It would be a day's travel from Bahrain for both players back to their US cities, so not great getting back for important MLS games a few days after playing friendlies for AWs. Given Coach Heath's obvious reluctance to release Boxall for the Olympics mid season, he won't be happy to release him for some friendlies right at pointy end of the season, when MU will be desperate to make the playoffs.

However getting senior CB Boxy especially involved with AWs now, after missing Olympics is getting close to critical now. Given Reid's continued injury woes, Boxall snr is going to be super important next year. MLS regular season finishes (8th Nov) just prior Nov FIFA window (8th-16th Nov). MLS playoffs to start 21st Nov. So both Tuiloma & Boxall should be okay for Nov window for AWs.

Collier should be okay if selected. Chicago seemingly out the MLS playoff hunt (12th, 10 points off playoff spots), and Collier only a bit player there anyway. 

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/108114?newsfeedId=1275622
“I’m delighted we are confirming these games” said Head Coach Danny Hay.

“Following Tokyo 2020 our main priority was to continue to build on the momentum we established with the Olympic side and bring it to the full senior team. We’ve seen the exciting generation of players emerging, we now just need to start playing games on a regular basis to continue that development. 

“These games will be a good test. Obviously Kiwi fans will be well aware of Bahrain but Curaçao are a strong side with lots of players playing at a high level in Europe.”

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell was pleased to be able to confirm the fixtures, promising they were just the beginning for both the men’s and women’s national teams.

“After the barriers we have faced for the last 18 months we are determined that we are going to get our national teams playing.
Following these fixtures being confirmed today we will soon hopefully be announcing another set of games for November as well as Football Ferns matches.

“With changing border conditions in the Northern Hemisphere combined with the work our national teams did at the Olympics we can navigate playing in a Covid environment in a safe and responsible manner. It does make things more difficult and I want to applaud the staff and players in our national teams for the sacrifices they are making to get us on the pitch.”

Because of the managed isolation and quarantine requirements upon entry back into Aotearoa New Zealand, Danny Hay anticipates having to pick a predominantly Europe and US-based squad.
Hay will also travel with only three other New Zealand-based staff members.

“I’m really confident in the player base we have overseas and it is testament to the talent we are producing that we are in a position to choose a squad with likely no Australia or New Zealand based players.

“As things stand we will be travelling with reduced staff and we will be using the public MIQ system to return to New Zealand. It is a difficult situation but we are all committed to doing whatever is needed to play these games.”

Legend
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Guess at a Euro/USA 21 man based selection that Hay may pick for October.

Assuming Thomas & Reid both unavailable. Though sounds like Reid going to Bahrain as a defacto assistant coach. Also going for Tuiloma & M Boxall not being there. Boxy has just signed a new 2 year deal with Minnesota and in this instance unfortunately I think he'll need to choose club over country.

Could be that for the October window Hay experiments a bit, but hopefully for Nov window has a more full strength side. Esp if the Nov friendlies are somehow in Europe, lessening the travel load for players.

Keepers: Tzanev, Marinovic, Woud
Defenders: Tommy Smith, Kyle Adams, Pijnaker, Stensness, Cacace, Dalton Wilkins, Kirwan, Billingsley
Midfield: Bell, Stamenic, Musa, Singh, Garbett, McCowatt
Up front: Wood, Collier, Just, Champness



Plumped for Kyle Adams, but you could go for Stanger, Nikko Boxall or even Francis de Vries who with Varnamo looks a good chance to be in the Swedish top tier next year. But just thought Adams has been around MLS fringes a bit, and is left sided. Captained both USL teams he's been at. Worth a look.

Stanger failed to impress at the Olympics, when give his chance. Still young and maybe needs to concentrate on his club career at Hamilton Accies. 

Billingsley hasn't been in Phoenix Rising match days squads lately (injured?). It's never been mentioned officially that the Rusty Dunks scoop, Jack Iredale is eligible and available for NZ. But who knows. Be good to see Niko Kirwan given a chance in that problem RB slot.

Deklan Wynne may edge Wilkins for the backup LB role.
 
Owen Parker-Price (OPP was an Olympics reserve, Hay knows him from ES), maybe on the fringes, especially with Thomas likely out.

Andre De Jong if he can somehow enter Bahrain from South Africa, plus Max Mata and Logan Rogerson also there or thereabouts. 

Starting XI
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over 15 years
NZ Football along with other smaller FIFA members are able to finance their programs thanks to the millions of dollars being dished out by FIFA to help with the pandemic situation.
NZ Football have been pretty quiet about it but they've received $US 1 million from FIFA for all expenses plus $US 500,000 for women's football (as have all FIFA members) at the beginning of the year.
Hence the All Whites should be pretty active with friendlies in most FIFA windows now.
Costs for the Oceania qualifying tournament mooted for March in Qatar should not be a problem to the Oceania countries.
FIFA are awarding millions of dollars to all member countries and confederations to help cope with the pandemic situation.:
"a grant of USD 2 million and a loan of up to USD 4 million were made available to each confederation....
To each member country: a universal solidarity grant of USD 1 million, and an additional grant of USD 500,000 allocated specifically to women’s football. The full amount would be made available by January 2021.... and interest-free loans amounting to up to 35% of their audited annual revenues. In the interests of solidarity, a loan entitlement of between USD 500,000 and USD 5 million was made available."
Starting XI
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4.9K
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over 15 years
Rusty Dunks
watching_from_far
While a little underwhelming especially Curacao  at least we have some games.
Curacao will be hard for us to get a result! Don't most of them play in the Eredivisie?
 
Former Phoenix player Roly Bonevacia plays for Curacao (quite likely to be selected since he's playing club football nearby in Kuwait), along with many players from the Dutch leagues, a player from Perth Glory in the A-League & some good British clubs like Glasgow Rangers, Cardiff City, Coventry City & good European clubs like Dynamo Bucharest and Boavista, from Major League Soccer etc.  A stronger team than you might expect.
Coached by Dutch legend Gus Hiddink until recent months, currently coached by Patrick Kluivert on an interim basis. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cura%C3%A7ao_national_football_team#Current_squad
Legend
11K
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21K
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almost 9 years
Curaçao unlucky not to make final stage CONCACAF WC qualifying. Losing a 2 legged 2nd round tie 1-2 on aggregate to Panama, back in June. Not being able to score in the 2nd leg at home (0-0) proving costly.

Seems Roly missed those 2 games, and who knows with Covid travel restrictions,  Curaçao may have struggled to assemble their top side then.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2021/06/16/nc-america/wc-qualifying-concacaf/netherlands-antilles/panama/3490515/


Early stages of final stage CONCACAF qualifying (3 of 14 rounds played), but Panama currently occupy 4th spot - the Intercontinental Playoff slot.

So yeah Curaçao the perfect opponent to have in many ways. Especially if the AWs get lucky, and OFC draws a CONCACAF team (weakest looking Confederation on paper) for June next year. Hopefully they can assemble close to their top side in Bahrain.
 
Edit - as a side note my understanding is any black Dutch players will highly likely have heritage from either Suriname (where a brother lived for 3 years) or Curaçao. So no surprises maybe to now see Kluivert as the Curaçao gaffer. And why a country of only 150,000 people has a bigger player talent pool than you'd first think.
Legend
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14K
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over 16 years
Side note, but I think Bonevacia is definitely in the running for best Nix chant ever. Certainly enjoyed watching him when he was here.
First Team Squad
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1K
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over 14 years
It's GAMES guys!!!!!!  the who really doesn't bother me (and I'd suggest we've lost to worse teams in the past), we actually get to see the All Whites play actual football.  Just big yay really :)
and 3 others
Starting XI
6.7K
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4.5K
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over 9 years
All said and done, it's just good to be back! 

Excited to see the makeup of the squad. Will be very keen to see if the likes of Singh, Bell, Just and McCowatt can carry their form from their respective leagues into the national team set up too.
Starting XI
2K
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4.7K
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almost 17 years
Doloras
Marto
The UK is likely going to scrap Covid tests for travellers today.  Great news for those of us here in Blighty but that will mean a spike in Covid cases in the UAE and Qatar and other winter sun destinations. 

Unless NZ stops being a hermit with Covid, I can see NZF having major issues trying to play games in January/March in the middle East when many Europeans will be there catching up on 2 years of sunshine.
Yeah, let's let 1000+ people die of COVID so you can see more football games

Jog on.

? What are you on Doloras?
Phoenix Academy
620
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420
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almost 9 years
Marto
Doloras
Marto
The UK is likely going to scrap Covid tests for travellers today.  Great news for those of us here in Blighty but that will mean a spike in Covid cases in the UAE and Qatar and other winter sun destinations. 

Unless NZ stops being a hermit with Covid, I can see NZF having major issues trying to play games in January/March in the middle East when many Europeans will be there catching up on 2 years of sunshine.
Yeah, let's let 1000+ people die of COVID so you can see more football games

Jog on.

? What are you on Doloras?
I think it's called compassion. The brits appear to have lost all sense of any.
Legend
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14K
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over 16 years
Geezus guys simmer down. Read what he said- there’s a decent chance of cases in the Middle East and if it’s difficult getting back into NZ it’s guna be difficult to send a team on tour. 
I know the Brits have been having a pop a bit lately, what with that twerp in the Telegraph and that, but we’re all Nix and AW fans here. 

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