So looks likely that we'll have one, maybe two friendlies in the March 2020 international window.
2020 All Whites International Fixtures
Taken from Journey Man's post in 2020 OFC Nations Cup thread.
Some interesting comments below from OFC El Presidente.
Maybe some more AWs friendlies against other OFC teams, with plans for an OFC Nations League. However without any plans to dovetail also into an AFC Champions League - sounds very uninspiring.
That may change if Infantino can get his grandiose plans of a 8 (?) team Global Nations League tourney (to replace the Confeds Cup) off the ground. Any OFC Nations League winner won't get automatic entry to that??
Do Oceania Football Confederation have plans to make the national teams more actives?
Yes. We have already made substantial progress in discussions together within the OFC to have all 11 Nations playing regularly against each other every year, if possible. With the proposed format under discussion, we want to include all OFC countries together and group them by ranking and region, so that any activity will be affordable, cost-effective and sustainable.
Is this about the OFC Nations League idea?
Yes. It was my idea for improving football performance in the region. It is to be played every year or two years, rather than waiting four years to play a minimum of four international matches.
We have made discussions and agreements with other confederations like AFC and CONMEBOL to see how they could assist OFC in improving their performance. In June we will sign an agreement with AFC and CONMEBOL. We already have an agreement with UEFA to fund youth football development with exchanges of football and tournament promotions in Europe or in the region that started in 2019.
How they could assist OFC?
We focus on all categories with special emphasis on youth football elites to meet our vision for 2026.
Will we see more youth tournaments and more friendly matches against AFC, UEFA and CONMEBOL members in that case?
Exactly.
Anybody know about a supposed friendly in New Plymouth against Vietnam on 26 March?
No clue where Soccerway gets their info from, but they've got this game up
Anybody know about a supposed friendly in New Plymouth against Vietnam on 26 March?
No clue where Soccerway gets their info from, but they've got this game up
Not planning on a big crowd then....
Anybody know about a supposed friendly in New Plymouth against Vietnam on 26 March?
No clue where Soccerway gets their info from, but they've got this game up
Not planning on a big crowd then....
We don't even have a stadium!
Although I'm sure we could get a solid 200-300 up at Merrilands Domain, possibly even a few more up at Pukekura Park with a gold coin donation if we're really lucky. I'd definitely be there!
Anybody know about a supposed friendly in New Plymouth against Vietnam on 26 March?
No clue where Soccerway gets their info from, but they've got this game up
Not planning on a big crowd then....
We don't even have a stadium!
Although I'm sure we could get a solid 200-300 up at Merrilands Domain, possibly even a few more up at Pukekura Park with a gold coin donation if we're really lucky. I'd definitely be there!
Of course we do; just can't sit in the stands!
Some websites optimistically claim there are 3500 seats at the southern end terraces, and there are standing terraces at the northern end which can take up to (*cough) 8500, so with FIFA rule for internationals requiring fully seated, we could get ... 3500 fans in.
But I'm with you; Pukekura park on a balmy March evening. I could go for that.
In case anyone was wondering, I can confirm that there is no such fixture planned.
In case anyone was wondering, I can confirm that there is no such fixture planned.
I really wonder what Soccerway is thinking with that Vietnam fixture. No other announcements or leaks, Vietnam then have a World Cup Qualify in Malaysia just five days later. Then lastly in New Plymouth!!! Sure New Zealand football would want to take a game to the regions and pass up the opportunity of more money playing in Auckland or Wellington.
Anybody know about a supposed friendly in New Plymouth against Vietnam on 26 March?
No clue where Soccerway gets their info from, but they've got this game up
Not planning on a big crowd then....
We don't even have a stadium!
Although I'm sure we could get a solid 200-300 up at Merrilands Domain, possibly even a few more up at Pukekura Park with a gold coin donation if we're really lucky. I'd definitely be there!
Of course we do; just can't sit in the stands!
Some websites optimistically claim there are 3500 seats at the southern end terraces, and there are standing terraces at the northern end which can take up to (*cough) 8500, so with FIFA rule for internationals requiring fully seated, we could get ... 3500 fans in.
But I'm with you; Pukekura park on a balmy March evening. I could go for that.
We should've just bulldozed it and made a boutique 10-12k all seater. But this is not the right place to discuss this ?
Pukekura Park is, surprisngly, a good little football ground. Didnt't even realise they played football there until I went to see Rangers play Havelock North (I think) in the Federation League. Great little set up.
Pukekura Park is, surprisngly, a good little football ground. Didnt't even realise they played football there until I went to see Rangers play Havelock North (I think) in the Federation League. Great little set up.
That can't have been an ideal away trip.
Oh boy, this is peak NZF at its finest if true!
Oh boy, this is peak NZF at its finest if true!
It is not true.
Pukekura Park is, surprisngly, a good little football ground. Didnt't even realise they played football there until I went to see Rangers play Havelock North (I think) in the Federation League. Great little set up.
That can't have been an ideal away trip.
It wasn't for Havelock North. Somehow up 1-0 at H/T, end up losing 10-1...
Talking New Plymouth Rangers and not Miramar as well. Although I suspect you knew that was the case.
Anyway I digress. Back to the real issues.
We should've just bulldozed it and made a boutique 10-12k all seater. But this is not the right place to discuss this ?
Pukekura Park is, surprisngly, a good little football ground. Didnt't even realise they played football there until I went to see Rangers play Havelock North (I think) in the Federation League. Great little set up.
Pukekura Park was my home ground in the early eighties.
Refereed more than a few games at Pukekura in the late 90s early 2000s when I lived there. The cricket ground in the middle always ruined it when it rained. One of the most picturesque grounds anywhere and one of the biggest marked out grounds I ever refereed on too. Those e-scooters would have been handy back in the day.
In the Joe Bell article Voerman says we will probably have a couple of matches in March announced soon then of course the Oly Whites. That's along with the OFC Nations Cup, all this All Whites football for 2020 almost seems weird.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/118822033/norwegian-football-clubs-pursuit-of-young-all-whites-midfielder-joe-bell-pays-off
"Before then the Wellington Phoenix academy product should get the chance to add to his two All Whites caps, with matches in Europe or the Middle East in March close to being secured, and he also has the Tokyo Olympics in July to look forward to later in the year."
All Whites to take on Bahrain and Oman in March
As always, excellent work again Mr Voerman ?
If it happens a pretty good result. Two reasonable opponents. One main 16 hr flight to Dubai from NZ, and about 6-7 hrs flight time for those in Europe.
Hopefully is close to a full strength squad.
Be interesting to see if all the MLS contingent are available (12 hrs New York to Dubai), being pretty early in their season, and few guys like Wynne, Musa, Billingsley, Adams even Tuiloma fighting for spots.
Who knows what clubs Smith and Reid will be at come March.
These are the kind of games we can and should realistically be targeting. Well done NZF. Now sign on the dotted line and give our players a challenge!
good to see nzf being proactive
Absolutely...we are usually very critical of them (and so should we be), but credit to them this time around!
good to see nzf being proactive doing their job
fixed it for you :-)
AV reporting Hay will narrow the squad to 21
To trim to 21, and add Kosta, I reckon something like this, assuming all selected are available/fit.
OUT
McGarry
Roux
Pijnaker
McGlinchey
Ridenton
De Jong
Mata
IN
Billingsley
Musa
Stensness
Kosta
Squad of 21 would look like this:
Pretty much agree with that squad. Tuiloma is currently injured so may not be available.
Smith and Reid are club hunting so who knows. If either of them say no to the AWs this window, Kyle Adams would be worth a look.
Also don’t see any LB cover for Cacace, so I’d keep McGarry and not take Stensness, if Tuiloma is fit. He can fill that DM role in need.
do you think Hay will pick two or three keepers?
Pretty much agree with that squad. Tuiloma is currently injured so may not be available.
Smith and Reid are club hunting so who knows.
Also don’t see any LB cover for Cacace, so I’d keep McGarry and not take Stensness, if Tuiloma is fit. He can fill that DM role in need.
- Agree re Tuimloma injury, but we'll see I guess
- Smith LB cover, or Billlingsley/Tuiloma even. McGarry only played U21s since he left the Nix (where he got little senior time anyway; basically hasn't progressed since signing a pro contract; desperately needs to play senior footy somewhere).
- Stensness has really impressed in a weak team at CCM, deserves a shot in a better squad.
- Agree re Smith and Reid but given pedigree they'll both be in as long as they're fit.
do you think Hay will pick two or three keepers?
For a WC, three. But at this stage Hay needs to look at fringe outfielders. We have lots of known GK options.
Preety much agree with the above squad with the exception perhaps of Roux who I don't think deserves to be dropped just yet.
BIllingsley is still raw and is basically on trial at his club
Hope he becomes a good one but plenty of time for him to develop at his club and the under 23's first
Willem II are one of the better teams in Holland this season, McGarry must be doing okay at training to still be cracking (admittedly large) match day squads. But yes he needs to move elsewhere and be playing. However see all the other options to Cacace as makeshift at best and that’s a risk, if Liberto was injured come March 2022.
As per my edited post above, Kyle Adams worth a look if any of the 1st string defenders are unavailable.
Willem II are one of the better teams in Holland this season, McGarry must be doing okay at training to still be cracking (admittedly large) match day squads. But yes he needs to move elsewhere and be playing. However see all the other options to Cacace as makeshift at best and that’s a risk, if Liberto was injured come March 2022.
As per my edited post above, Kyle Adams worth a look if any of the 1st string defenders are unavailable.
Agree Adams could come into mix pending injuries.
Disagree about McGarry; bench of 9 I think in Eredivisie, which is also a fairly young player's league. He wasn't getting minutes when Willem were mid table last season either. LB cover is an issue, but I'd happily play Smith there with Boxall and Reid CB, rather than McGarry.
I do not think Smith is a LB at this age, nor in the system Hay wants to play. Can play in a 2/3 at the back but cannot see Hay using him as a fullback that gets high.
NZ needs better fullback depth. Cacace bright future but other than that the depth is lacking severely.
Yes and any side with competent scouting will exploit that.
Great to see two more games, this side really just needs to play as much together as they possibly can, I'm certain they will be much better this time.
Cacace, then Wynne, Wilkins, Morgan, McGarry. Not the deepest at the left let alone the right
Cacace, then Wynne, Wilkins, Morgan, McGarry. Not the deepest at the left let alone the right
Of course Deklan Wynne, yes the forgotten man.
I see with Rapids pre season games, seems to be playing the 'first team selection' half.
Deserves to be picked come March, either as a CB if some of the first choice CBs are unavailable, or replaces McGarry as backup LB.
Pretty much agree with that squad. Tuiloma is currently injured so may not be available.
Smith and Reid are club hunting so who knows. If either of them say no to the AWs this window, Kyle Adams would be worth a look.
Also don’t see any LB cover for Cacace, so I’d keep McGarry and not take Stensness, if Tuiloma is fit. He can fill that DM role in need.
I'd drop Rufer for Stensness. Rufer was poor in his last AW game and is now a bench warmer for the Nix.
Pretty much agree with that squad. Tuiloma is currently injured so may not be available.
Smith and Reid are club hunting so who knows. If either of them say no to the AWs this window, Kyle Adams would be worth a look.
Also don’t see any LB cover for Cacace, so I’d keep McGarry and not take Stensness, if Tuiloma is fit. He can fill that DM role in need.
I'd drop Rufer for Stensness. Rufer was poor in his last AW game and is now a bench warmer for the Nix.
Rufer has had 1 appearance off the bench for the Nix and the games he has missed have been due to his injury
Agree. He's in the form of his life and I think belongs in the wider AWs squad.
He's unlucky that Devlin (who many, including myself thought was pants from what we saw in preseason/FFA cup) has turned out to be a real gem, otherwise he'd be back in the starting line-up with Matti doing a solid job.