Appiah without the pace
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19K
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over 16 years

2016 OFC Nations Cup• The 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Qualifying Tournament will double up as the OFC Nations Cup and will be organised as follows:

Stage 1 Preliminary Round 4 teams, round robin, central tournament
Stage 2 Group Stage 8 teams, 2 groups, 6 home-and-away matches per team
Stage 3 Semi-Finals 4 teams, 2 home-and-away matches per team
Stage 4 Final 2 teams, 2 home-and-away matches per team

Seeding and groups to be confirmed by regulation.

Stage 1 – Preliminary Round
Venue TBC
Dates 8-16 June 2015
Teams American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga
Format Round robin – League system
Qualification The winner qualifies to Stage 2

Stage 2 – Group Stage
Dates Match Day 1 and 2 5-13 October 2015
Match Day 3 and 4 21-29 March 2016
Match Day 5 and 6 30 May – 7 June 2016
Format 2 groups of 4 teams playing a round robin, home-and-away basis
Qualification The winner and runner-up of each group qualifies to Stage 3

Stage 3 – Semi-Finals
Dates 29 August – 6 September 2016
Format Group winners will be paired up with runners-up to play 2 matches on home-and-away basis
Qualification The winner of each semi-final series qualifies to Stage 4

Stage 4 – Finals
Dates 7-18 November 2016
Format 2 semi-final winners will play 2 matches on home-and-away basis
Qualification The winner of the final playoff series qualifies for both the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 and 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Intercontinental Playoff in November 2017.

• A proposal from the OFC Secretariat to delete Stage 3 and Stage 4 above and amend the semi-finals and finals format with a further 4 team round robin played on a league basis exists as follows:

Stage 3 – Group Stage Finals
Dates Match Day 1 and 2 29 August/6 September
Match Day 3 and 4 3-11 October
Match Day 5 and 6 7-18 November
Format Group winners will play each other on home-and-away league system basis
Qualification The winner of the league qualifies for the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 (as the OFC Nations Cup winner) and 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Intercontinental Playoff in November 2017.

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/701d2613-f23f-4125-ae92-0700e8ec8787/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Appiah without the pace
6.4K
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19K
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over 16 years

Either way it looks better for us than the previous cycle.

Appiah without the pace
6.4K
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19K
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over 16 years

Also, finding the OFC winner in November 2016 would be too late for joining the AFC final stage as was touted.

Starting XI
550
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2.4K
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over 14 years

LOL with Russia 2018 having 14 teams, You really think CONMEBOL would risk a play off with CONCACAF?.

AFC is in bed with CONCACAF you have to listen to the full interview on SBS radio about AFC expecting more money come 2016 Via One World Sports TV rights renegocations of all AFC events etc, We will be playing off against the Sth Americans %100.

Appiah without the pace
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19K
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over 16 years

Hope OFC checked with Smith to check when he wants to take his holidays before finalising the qualification process

and 1 other
Trialist
0
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31
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almost 12 years
2ndBest wrote:

Also, finding the OFC winner in November 2016 would be too late for joining the AFC final stage as was touted.

Well, the AFC confirmed their qualification format few days ago (now combined with AFC Cup Qualifiers) and it will be expanded to 12 teams in last stage, but with each of 12 team being AFC members.
WeeNix
15
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760
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over 16 years

Last I checked FIFA was governing body who dictates the path, not AFC or anyone else?

Appiah without the pace
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over 16 years

AFC, OFC, and FIFA need to sign off on it.

Marquee
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over 12 years


NZ needs to start drilling for sweet offshore oil. Get some petrodollars in the bank and we could host a World Cup, just like Qatar. No need to worry about the qualification path then.

Marquee
970
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NZ needs to start drilling for sweet offshore oil. Get some petrodollars in the bank and we could host a World Cup, just like Qatar. No need to worry about the qualification path then.

Two-edged sword. Let's hope we don't get trashed here next year in the Under-20's through being under-prepared and under-played.

Marquee
5.3K
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9.5K
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over 12 years
Jerzy Merino wrote:


NZ needs to start drilling for sweet offshore oil. Get some petrodollars in the bank and we could host a World Cup, just like Qatar. No need to worry about the qualification path then.

Two-edged sword. Let's hope we don't get trashed here next year in the Under-20's through being under-prepared and under-played.

Won't be hard to attract friendly opponents if we have money to throw at them though :P

 

Getting off topic, but I thought the whole Wanderers SC thing in the ASBP was so our U20s got time playing together (with the exception of professionals of course) so we're prepared for the WC? I doubt the qualifying path through OFC for age-group teams would prepare them any better

Starting XI
550
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over 14 years
Jerzy Merino wrote:


NZ needs to start drilling for sweet offshore oil. Get some petrodollars in the bank and we could host a World Cup, just like Qatar. No need to worry about the qualification path then.

Two-edged sword. Let's hope we don't get trashed here next year in the Under-20's through being under-prepared and under-played.

Won't be hard to attract friendly opponents if we have money to throw at them though :P

 

Getting off topic, but I thought the whole Wanderers SC thing in the ASBP was so our U20s got time playing together (with the exception of professionals of course) so we're prepared for the WC? I doubt the qualifying path through OFC for age-group teams would prepare them any better

So will there be two OFC sides in this U20 world cup?.
Appiah without the pace
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Starting XI
550
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Well lest hope they (OFC teams) both get respectable results.

Cock
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over 14 years
Royz wrote:

Well lest hope they (OFC teams) both get respectable results.

BWAHAHAHA oh BWAHAHAHA

Oh stop it you....
Starting XI
550
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over 14 years
Jeff Vader wrote:
Royz wrote:

Well lest hope they (OFC teams) both get respectable results.

BWAHAHAHA oh BWAHAHAHA

Oh stop it you....

But in NZ U17in 1999  Australia made it to the finials against a cheating (over aged) Brazil team :( and the Small whites should have but got ripped off in the first round of games :( . But still yeah Bwahahahahahaha...... :( sniff sniff.
a.k.a AJ13
520
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1.5K
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I predict an intercontinental play off with Uruguay.



Qatar here we come ... 

Phoenix Academy
2
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200
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almost 12 years

So the format for the All Whites would be

Round 2
Matchdates Day 1 and 2 5-13 October 2015
Matchdates Day 3 and 4 21-29 March 2016
Matchdates Day 5 and 6 30 May – 7 June 2016

Round 3
Matchdates 29 August – 6 September 2016

Round 4 Final
Matchdates 7-18 November 2016

Thats 3 home games (defent) and 2 more IF they win the Group.

• A proposal from the OFC Secretariat to delete Stage 3 and Stage 4 above and amend the semi-finals and finals format with a further 4 team round robin played on a league basis exists as follows:

Stage 3 – Group Stage Finals
Dates Match Day 1 and 2 29 August/6 September
Match Day 3 and 4 3-11 October
Match Day 5 and 6 7-18 November

I also think this way is best.

Starting XI
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over 15 years

I'd say New Caledonia will prove the All Whites' toughest opposition in qualifying over the next couple of years.

They will have at least one decent pro playing in French football when the All Whites face them in qualification in the Oceania Nations Cup etc.

Perhaps two if established French Ligue 1 defender Wesley Lautoa makes himself available (see below - born in France but has stated a desire to play for New Caledonia). 

All  Whites "Honiara Horror" nemesis, striker Georges Gope-Fenepej of New Caledonia has been doing alright in his second season in French football with Estac Troyes. He made his debut with one Ligue 1 game for the club last season as they were relegated from Ligue 1. They currently sit tenth in Ligue 2.

Gope-Fenepej started the French League Cup quarter-final win vs. Evian in January and came on as an 82 min. sub in the close 2-1 February semi-final loss to mighty Olympique Lyonnais, the dominant French team of the last twenty years:

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/2c089683-3a65-4585-92b3-07c55efdd54f/language/en-US/Default.aspx

 http://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2014/02/05/france/coupe-de-la-ligue/olympique-lyonnais/esperance-sportive-troyes-aube-champagne/1633433/commentary/

http://uk.soccerway.com/players/georges-gope-fenepej/178521/

14 appearances for Troyes in Ligue 2 this season (4 starts; 10 as a sub)

2 League Cup apps

1 French Cup (scored v Cannes in December)

12 goals in 10 appearances for the reserve team this season

Wesley Lautoa (Lorient, Ligue 1):

http://int.soccerway.com/players/wesley-lautoa/138718/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Lautoa

Potentially New Caledonia's best player would be 26 year-old Wesley Lautoa who has made 64 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lorient (32 so far this year). Previously more than 50 apps in Ligue 2 for Sedan. He hasn't played for New Caledonia yet - but would be one of the best defenders to ever come out of Oceania.

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/8a30e553-6ec5-4e27-bde4-41e0d5329d88/language/fr-FR/Default.aspx

15 January 2013

Wesley Lautoa, who plays for French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient, will not be making an appearance for the New Caledonia national side in Stage 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in March - but sees himself making his debut for Les Cagous in the future.

Lorient defender Wesley Lautoa intends making his debut for
New Caledonia in the future.

The 25-year-old defender was named in national coach Alain Moizan’s 50-strong preliminary squad in August last year, but says his professional commitments prevented him from joining up with Les Cagous.

“I had just started in Ligue 1, it fell badly for me,” Lautoa says.

“To play the Oceania World Cup qualifiers in March against New Zealand and Tahiti would mean I would miss championship matches with Lorient. I can’t, at the moment, allow that. But I follow the results and I’m hoping that it goes well for them.”

Born in Épernay, a town situated in the Champagne region of northern France, Lautoa’s links to New Caledonia have been inherited through his family.


New Caledonia can call on three other players playing in France in the lower leagues (full potential squad):

http://www.national-football-teams.com/country/131/2014/New_Caledonia.html

They also have Roy Kayara who has gained experience in the ASB Premiership with Team Wellington this season.

Trialist
1
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1
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almost 12 years

They have another professional in Cesar Lolohea (the scorer vs the All Whites in the WC qualifier), who has played four/five games with Stade Lavallois in the French 2nd tier this season. Midfielder Stephane Tein-Padom seems another interesting player, played with Chateauroux (another Ligue 2 side) reserves last year, but have no idea on where he is at the moment, as it seems he's no more there. Also striker Jean Philippe Saiko is now playing in French low tiers but he's just had a trial with Vendee Por sur Vie (who are pros):

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/bc68c036-b6bd-40b9-b2f1-c4b1a47e660d/language/en-US/Default.aspx

But probably their best upcoming talent is Mikael Partodikromo, an APFA product who's playing with Sheffield United (has already featured in their u21s). Still very early to say how good he'll be though.

So I agree that they will probably be NZ toughest opponents (again).

Starting XI
1.5K
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4.9K
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over 15 years
AOFC wrote:

They have another professional in Cesar Lolohea (the scorer vs the All Whites in the WC qualifier), who has played four/five games with Stade Lavallois in the French 2nd tier this season. Midfielder Stephane Tein-Padom seems another interesting player, played with Chateauroux (another Ligue 2 side) reserves last year, but have no idea on where he is at the moment, as it seems he's no more there. Also striker Jean Philippe Saiko is now playing in French low tiers but he's just had a trial with Vendee Por sur Vie (who are pros):

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/bc68c036-b6bd-40b9-b2f1-c4b1a47e660d/language/en-US/Default.aspx

But probably their best upcoming talent is Mikael Partodikromo, an APFA product who's playing with Sheffield United (has already featured in their u21s). Still very early to say how good he'll be though.

So I agree that they will probably be NZ toughest opponents (again).

Thanks for the info on other New Caledonian players. I'd forgotten about Mikael Partodikromo who was at APFA at Lincoln and played briefly in the Mainland Premier League.


Found an interesting article reviewing his progress at Sheffield United in the first half of this season - sounds like he's been doing well:

http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://nouvellecaledonie.la1ere.fr/2013/12/22/football-le-reve-anglais-de-mickael-partodikromo-95933.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3DMickael%2BPartodikromo%2Bsheffield%2Bunited%26rlz%3D1C1AFAB_enNZ468NZ468%26es_sm%3D93%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D667

" It is now six months since he played for his new club, and it . "In the beginning it was hard. Lack of family, high level, very cold climate in which I was not accustomed. But after I built myself, I made ​​new friends. And over the training, I improved my game and spent many steps. "The weeks are loaded with two workouts a day, four times weekly fitness, games weekdays and weekends. "No time to walk, when I go into my host family, I get."   Regarding competition matches, the results of the first half of the season have been positive. Mickaël played all games with the U18 team.Used as a striker and right winger, he scored six goals in a team ranked second in the league and qualified for the 5th round of the FA Cup, the FA Cup. "The management are amazed. They were not sure if I could make the adjustment. They told me to keep working like this to become a great footballer. "Mickaël keeps his head on his shoulders.He knows that beyond the technical and physical qualities, impeccable behavior is required. "If a player makes a misdemeanor, it is not used for the game of the weekend and must comply the following week to endurance exercise and more workouts. We also must attend meetings of the professional team."
 ...[It won't be easy] signing a professional contract at season's end . In a youth squad of 24 players with two to three players in each position, the task will not be easy."Only ten players are going professional next year. In June they choose." 

He's mentioned in the match u-18 reports here and there on the club website:

http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20140423-u18s-results-2013-14-954434.aspx

Might have been injured as he appears less regularly in the second half of the season and reappears in matches towards the end as a sub.

Starting XI
2K
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4.7K
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almost 17 years
Big Pete 65 wrote:
AOFC wrote:

They have another professional in Cesar Lolohea (the scorer vs the All Whites in the WC qualifier), who has played four/five games with Stade Lavallois in the French 2nd tier this season. Midfielder Stephane Tein-Padom seems another interesting player, played with Chateauroux (another Ligue 2 side) reserves last year, but have no idea on where he is at the moment, as it seems he's no more there. Also striker Jean Philippe Saiko is now playing in French low tiers but he's just had a trial with Vendee Por sur Vie (who are pros):

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/bc68c036-b6bd-40b9-b2f1-c4b1a47e660d/language/en-US/Default.aspx

But probably their best upcoming talent is Mikael Partodikromo, an APFA product who's playing with Sheffield United (has already featured in their u21s). Still very early to say how good he'll be though.

So I agree that they will probably be NZ toughest opponents (again).

Thanks for the info on other New Caledonian players. I'd forgotten about Mikael Partodikromo who was at APFA at Lincoln and played briefly in the Mainland Premier League.


Found an interesting article reviewing his progress at Sheffield United in the first half of this season - sounds like he's been doing well:

http://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://nouvellecaledonie.la1ere.fr/2013/12/22/football-le-reve-anglais-de-mickael-partodikromo-95933.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3DMickael%2BPartodikromo%2Bsheffield%2Bunited%26rlz%3D1C1AFAB_enNZ468NZ468%26es_sm%3D93%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D667

" It is now six months since he played for his new club, and it . "In the beginning it was hard. Lack of family, high level, very cold climate in which I was not accustomed. But after I built myself, I made ​​new friends. And over the training, I improved my game and spent many steps. "The weeks are loaded with two workouts a day, four times weekly fitness, games weekdays and weekends. "No time to walk, when I go into my host family, I get."   Regarding competition matches, the results of the first half of the season have been positive. Mickaël played all games with the U18 team.Used as a striker and right winger, he scored six goals in a team ranked second in the league and qualified for the 5th round of the FA Cup, the FA Cup. "The management are amazed. They were not sure if I could make the adjustment. They told me to keep working like this to become a great footballer. "Mickaël keeps his head on his shoulders.He knows that beyond the technical and physical qualities, impeccable behavior is required. "If a player makes a misdemeanor, it is not used for the game of the weekend and must comply the following week to endurance exercise and more workouts. We also must attend meetings of the professional team."
 ...[It won't be easy] signing a professional contract at season's end . In a youth squad of 24 players with two to three players in each position, the task will not be easy."Only ten players are going professional next year. In June they choose." 

He's mentioned in the match u-18 reports here and there on the club website:

http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20140423-u18s-results-2013-14-954434.aspx

Might have been injured as he appears less regularly in the second half of the season and reappears in matches towards the end as a sub.



This is the sort of player I'd love to see in the Nix academy.  Not just young kiwi's but Island players too.
Marquee
3.7K
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5.4K
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over 11 years

How long was he in NZ for... does he qualify : )

We could be just like the All Blacks and continually pinch the best Island players.

Starting XI
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4.9K
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over 15 years
MetalLegNZ wrote:

How long was he in NZ for... does he qualify : )

We could be just like the All Blacks and continually pinch the best Island players.

Only in Christchurch for a year at Asia Pacific Football Academy and brief spell in Mainland Premier League.
No young French Polynesian footballer with any aspirations would ever play for NZ at youth level because they also qualify to play for France if good enough - and this kid will have the example of his fellow New Caledonian Christian Karembeu in mind who went on to win the World Cup with France, Champions League with Real Madrid etc.
Pascal Vahirua from Tahiti also played for France (22 caps in the early 1990's) including at Euro '92 and '94 World Cup qualifying.
Stage Punch
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11K
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over 16 years

Trawling the Trade Me, as I do, I stumbled on this for $80. Bargain:


http://www.trademe.co.nz/clothing-fashion/men/sportswear/auction-727760141.htm


RR
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Bossi Insider
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33K
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over 15 years

RadioLIVE Newsroom @LIVENewsDesk

Italian football giant AC Milan's expressed strong interest in playing the All Whites in New Zealand next year @NZ_Football @acmilan

Starting XI
2K
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4.7K
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almost 17 years

RadioLIVE Newsroom @LIVENewsDesk

Italian football giant AC Milan's expressed strong interest in playing the All Whites in New Zealand next year @NZ_Football @acmilan



Thumbs down from me.  I do not like our national team playing clubs no matter who they are.  If it transpires that they play the Nix then I will be very happy.
Appiah without the pace
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19K
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over 16 years

RadioLIVE Newsroom @LIVENewsDesk

Italian football giant AC Milan's expressed strong interest in playing the All Whites in New Zealand next year @NZ_Football @acmilan


Few guys have just bought the AC Milan academy franchise rights here in NZ. Going to assume this kind of announcement is some kind of publicity stunt. 
Marquee
970
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over 11 years
2ndBest wrote:

RadioLIVE Newsroom @LIVENewsDesk

Italian football giant AC Milan's expressed strong interest in playing the All Whites in New Zealand next year @NZ_Football @acmilan


Few guys have just bought the AC Milan academy franchise rights here in NZ. Going to assume this kind of announcement is some kind of publicity stunt. 

Saw it in today's StarTimes. wtf?

3rd XI
140
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2.4K
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about 14 years


would be good I rekon

Marquee
970
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over 11 years
2ndBest wrote:

RadioLIVE Newsroom @LIVENewsDesk

Italian football giant AC Milan's expressed strong interest in playing the All Whites in New Zealand next year @NZ_Football @acmilan


Few guys have just bought the AC Milan academy franchise rights here in NZ. Going to assume this kind of announcement is some kind of publicity stunt. 


the Bresolin bros?
Marquee
970
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6.5K
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over 11 years
Jerzy Merino wrote:
2ndBest wrote:

RadioLIVE Newsroom @LIVENewsDesk

Italian football giant AC Milan's expressed strong interest in playing the All Whites in New Zealand next year @NZ_Football @acmilan


Few guys have just bought the AC Milan academy franchise rights here in NZ. Going to assume this kind of announcement is some kind of publicity stunt. 

Saw it in today's StarTimes. wtf?

Actually, now that I read AC Milan have their name on 12 "Soccer Schools" worldwide, incl. Adelaide, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait, Miami, Detroit, Toronto and ... wait for it - Tehran!, maybe it's not so unreasonable they would like to set up/licence/whatever another one here too.

Marquee
970
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over 11 years

So it is happening - at a cost.

See today's www.stuff.co.nz:  'AC Milan to Train Kiwi Kids."

"All going well they might set up a permanent Academy in NZ."

First Team Squad
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1K
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I think it could be useful for NZ to develop two "half squads" - one in Europe, one in Australasia... if games can be arranged in the northern hemisphere, then the Europe squad assembles, with a few prominent extras from Australasia... and then vice versa for home games...

For instance, the Euro squad would have Reid, Smith, Wood, Howieson, Rojas, Thomas etc, while the Australasian would have the Phoenix guys along with McGlinchey, Roux, Smeltz etc...  so there may be around 25-30 players in total across the two squads, so that the coaches can keep track and look at how people go etc...

So for example, let's say a game is organised in a FIFA window v Northern Ireland, or Wales, or Finland, or Latvia, etc... the guys based in England could assemble quickly and easily, without getting grief from their clubs... some younger fringe guys around Europe and the UK could be included to see how they fit in the squad... the coaches and a couple of players from the A-League or US travel up to complete the squad... meaningful game v mid-range opposition, 2-3 times a season if possible, keeps things ticking over...

Likewise, games at home during FIFA windows, to keep the Australasian squad plus other potential squad members and youngsters ticking over... the idea would be to attract decent sides that could pull a good ex-pat crowd, such as South Korea or China perhaps... if its a side that perhaps doesn't generate as big a crowd, perhaps take it to eager venues outside the main centres... perhaps a couple of players from further afield to fill out the squad... but again, keeps things ticking over...

When a game against a really meaningful team can be arranged, or at a particular point in preparations, then you assemble the best team possible from where ever... but perhaps the guys in the UK would play 3-4 times a year willingly, if 2-3 of those games were close by with minimal travel and agro from their clubs... and then they'd be less worried about travelling back to NZ for a big game or whatever...

If the cost of playing games in Europe is a factor, then perhaps look at friendlies in London... choose a less-expensive venue, like Brentford or Leyton Orient... and arrange opponents that have big communities there that will pull decent crowds, perhaps like Jamaica, or Trinidad, or even Nigeria... it's games that matter, then if they break even, cool... especially if two thirds of your squad are a short journey away rather than a plane trip from NZ...

With games in NZ, trying to garner teams from closer could lessen costs, especially if we have prior connections with them (South Korea, Chile, even Indonesia and Malaysia)... and for the sake of a crowd, playing Fiji at Mt Smart would be a no-brainer, the ex-pat Fijians would guarantee a bumper gate...

You could essentially arrange a home and away game in each window, if it was viable and there were enough players etc... or maybe alternate the location for each window, or whatever... maybe its only one game per window... but that'd be better than nothing... even if this scenario happened for one season only, there would be the chance to look at and involve potential players, there would be plenty of AWs games for promotion and media, and above all plenty of preparation for big games and tournaments...

And perhaps the costs are manageable due to the "localised" squads...

Just thinking out loud, am sure others have suggestions to improve this idea considerably...

Stage Punch
2.1K
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11K
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over 16 years

I'd be surprised if there were enough Europe-based players for a squad.

Cock
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16K
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over 14 years

Smithy wrote:
I'd be surprised if there were enough Europe-based players for a squad.
There would be, but not of quality

Stefan Marinovic would be a sure thing though if Wynton was coach.....

Starting XI
480
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4.1K
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about 14 years
Jeff Vader wrote:

Smithy wrote:
I'd be surprised if there were enough Europe-based players for a squad.
There would be, but not of quality

Stefan Marinovic would be a sure thing though if Wynton was coach.....


the nix squad members don't seem to mind traveling so they could go to a game in Europe as well
Listen here Fudgeface
3.7K
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15K
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about 14 years
detoxin wrote:
Jeff Vader wrote:

Smithy wrote:
I'd be surprised if there were enough Europe-based players for a squad.
There would be, but not of quality

Stefan Marinovic would be a sure thing though if Wynton was coach.....


the nix squad members don't seem to mind traveling so they could go to a game in Europe as well

Would really need FFA to come to the party and break for the FIFA windows if we were doing it though, as more friendlies could really kill off a Phoenix season if we have our players jetting off halfway around the world 3-4 times a season and being forced to play games while they are away,
Starting XI
1.5K
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4.9K
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over 15 years
TBdFSOE wrote:

I think it could be useful for NZ to develop two "half squads" - one in Europe, one in Australasia... if games can be arranged in the northern hemisphere, then the Europe squad assembles, with a few prominent extras from Australasia... and then vice versa for home games...

For instance, the Euro squad would have Reid, Smith, Wood, Howieson, Rojas, Thomas etc, while the Australasian would have the Phoenix guys along with McGlinchey, Roux, Smeltz etc...  so there may be around 25-30 players in total across the two squads, so that the coaches can keep track and look at how people go etc...

So for example, let's say a game is organised in a FIFA window v Northern Ireland, or Wales, or Finland, or Latvia, etc... the guys based in England could assemble quickly and easily, without getting grief from their clubs... some younger fringe guys around Europe and the UK could be included to see how they fit in the squad... the coaches and a couple of players from the A-League or US travel up to complete the squad... meaningful game v mid-range opposition, 2-3 times a season if possible, keeps things ticking over...


Games vs. UEFA nations just ain't going to happen any more (except maybe once in a blue moon) after the UEFA Congress in March approved the new "UEFA Nations League" to start in 2018. This will replace friendlies with a rigid competition format with UEFA nations playing eachother in groups in-between Euro and World Cup qualifiers:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2590500/UEFA-approve-new-Nations-League-tournament-replace-friendlies.html

http://www.uefa.com/community/news/newsid=2079553.html

See this thread on the subject:

http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/european-football-discussion/topics/uefa-nations-league-likely-from-2018

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