But would have to be organised super quick before the Nix headed to the the Sydney Airport departure lounge, and guys with families back in NZ, may just be over being away from their whanau by then.
Yeah as a fan it's a nice idea, but I agree that it's a bit too much to ask on a personal level for the players with family back in NZ.
I really want us to play Australia and smash them, but no we have to play a micky mouse game against Belgium!. Life's just not fair sometimes.
NZ Rugby/Sanzaar are hoping to host the 4 team Rugby Championship in NZ later this year. Travel exemptions will be needed for Springboks, Wallabies and Pumas all to enter and play in NZ. Though visiting teams may need to quarantine in NZ for 2 weeks pre playing any games.
If that happens definitely a precedent for possible A League Socceroos v A League/Handy Prem AWs, fixture(s) maybe even in NZ - prior to 2020/2021 A League season. That's should the FFA and NZF have the motivation for such a game(s).
All depends on what happens over the next few weeks & months in Aotearoa. Mask up NZ.
NZ Rugby/Sanzaar are hoping to host the 4 team Rugby Championship in NZ later this year. Travel exemptions will be needed for Springboks, Wallabies and Pumas all to enter and play in NZ. Though visiting teams may need to quarantine in NZ for 2 weeks pre playing any games.
If that happens definitely a precedent for possible A League Socceroos v A League/Handy Prem AWs, fixture(s) maybe even in NZ - prior to 2020/2021 A League season. That's should the FFA and NZF have the motivation for such a game(s).
All depends on what happens over the next few weeks & months in Aotearoa. Mask up NZ.
Unlikely. The Australians dodge NZ like the plague when it comes to football.
I don't believe Ryan de Vries is eligible to play for New Zealand.
Interesting as NZ Football appeared to have done a lot of checking to make sure he was when he played for NZ in 2015, although given it was a friendly maybe not?
I don't believe Ryan de Vries is eligible to play for New Zealand.
Interesting as NZ Football appeared to have done a lot of checking to make sure he was when he played for NZ in 2015, although given it was a friendly maybe not?
All I know is that it was certainly the view in early 2018, when they had their only matches under Fitz Schmid, that he wasn't available.
Sadly it's looking increasingly unlikely that Belgium game will go ahead. Travel restrictions with quarantine requirements, between various EU countries now returning.
I think a host of EPL footballers had to scurry back to the UK, to avoid a new 14 day quarantine rule if travelling from France. Some new story like that.
Now UEFA is telling it's member nations, to start applying for player travel exemptions for scheduled UEFA Nations League international games in the September FIFA window.
Might not be too much travel involved for Cacace :)
Might not be much travel involved for anyone thanks to the beer bug
I was probably a bit hasty to earlier rule out this fixture from happening.
Seems all UEFA Nations League fixtures in September are still on, albeit behind closed doors.
So if NZF staff can get travel exemptions (where required) for the various Euro based AWs to travel to Belgium, I guess game should happen.
Still with the dreaded virus you can never plan too far ahead.
Belgian FA have the match on their website.
https://www.rbfa.be/en/nationale-ploegen/rode-duivels/programma-rode-duivels
Prospects of some MLS guys getting to Europe for this game continue to look slim.
Could be looking at something like this? Could have added more players but you're looking at pub level football at this stage. Bold are players that are featuring in the top tier of their nation's pyramid
Goalkeepers:
Michael Woud (Almere City, Netherlands)
Nik Tzanev (AFC Wimbeldon, England)
Cameron Hogg (Umea FC, Sweden)
Defenders:
Tommy Smith (Unattatched)
Themi Tzimopolous (Korona Kielce, Poland)
Steven Old (Unattatched)
George Stanger (Hamilton Academical, Scotland)
Nikko Boxall (Viborg FF, Denmark)
Nando Pijnaker (Grasshoppers, Switzerland)
Dylan De Jong (Kiryan Shmona, Israel)
Dalton Wilkins (Helsingor, Denmark)
Midfielders:
Ryan Thomas (PSV, Netherlands)
Sarpreet Singh (Bayern Munchen, Germany)
Joe Bell (Viking FK, Norway)
Joel Stevens (Ettan Sodra, Sweden)
Niko Kirwan (Reggio Audace, Italy)
Chris James (Klubi 04, Finland)
Attackers
Chris Wood (Burnley, England)
Matt Garbett (Falkenbergs, Sweden)
Elijah Just (Helsingor, Denmark)
Max Mata (Grasshoppers, Switzerland)
Ryan De Vries (Sligo Rovers, Ireland)
Can now obviously add Cacace in the mix. Plus maybe Marinovic and McCowatt since they are both currently in Europe.
Ryan De Vries apparently isn't qualified to play for NZ. Old now signed for a 5th tier Scottish club, and Chris James is at a 3rd tier Finnish team. Seems more focused on his coaching maybe. So those 3 are likely out of contention.
Jesse Edge and Matt Conroy probably come into the mix now, playing 3rd tier in Sweden, admittedly at a weak side. Francis De Vries also playing at that level, but at a strong team. Moses Dyer also likely in the frame as Europe is open to Canadians (and I presume Canadian residents). Wee Mac if he is in Scotland as rumoured.
Wooldridge & Parker-Price are playing Swedish pub football, but Hay their ex ES coach will know them well - and if he's struggling for numbers in certain positions, they will come into contention for a squad role.
Based on above list there is probably enough talent in the EU (provided above are all fit & available), for Hay to put out a reasonable side, especially as is highly likely will be a Belgian B selection as opposition.
Right back however has a lack of candidates. Think Nikko Boxall plays there a bit. Otherwise all the other options are in the A League. Roux, Payne, Fenton and now Elliot. Billingsley in the US.
Wonder if Hay might not say to Callan Elliot. Hey you are currently off contract at the Nix, want to fly with me to Belgium? You will definitely get a start. There will be some club scouts watching. You have an EU passport? (Scottish born). You just have to do another 2 weeks self isolation/quarantine when you return to NZ.
Roux is another one currently off contract.
All Whites coach Danny Hay is preparing to make big sacrifices to see the national men's football team in action during international windows in October and November.
Speaking to Newshub, Hay says he plans to base himself in Europe during October and November to give himself and the team the best preparation possible.
"It is going to be tough," he says. "If we get this game against Belgium and somebody else and even potentially one or two in November, that would be ideal.
"If that's the case, I'll base myself over there for seven weeks. It will be a long time away from my family, which will be difficult, but that's the nature of the job.
"It's too big an opportunity for us to turn down, and if that means returning home and spending two more weeks in quarantine, then so be it."
Why I'd never downplay the sacrifice of anyone being away from their family for 7 weeks, he must be itching to be coaching again surely.
And yeah be great if they confirm some more friendlies for November as well.
Belgium with a 2-0 win in Denmark.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/09/05/europe/uefa-nations-league/denmark/belgium/3243340/
Belgium with a 5-1 win over Iceland.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/09/08/europe...
England and Denmark 0-0.
With this weeks games going ahead, surely that puts our games in the more likely box.
As long as NZF can organise travel exemptions where required, and the players when they return from Belgium (or wherever game is played), don't have to quarantine back in the European country where they are living for their club football - then yes good chance game would go ahead you'd hope.
As long as NZF can organise travel exemptions where required, and the players when they return from Belgium (or wherever game is played), don't have to quarantine back in the European country where they are living for their club football - then yes good chance game would go ahead you'd hope.
England requires a 14 day quarantine requirement for anyone returning from most European countries. Not sure Burnley would be keen to lose Wood for two weeks. I sure hope NZF can pull these games off but things are getting messier by the day
Does sound messy. NZF should ask Belgian FA to reschedule game to England.
Belgium play 3 Lions at Wembley, in Nations League game a few days after scheduled match with AWs.
Just play it behind closed doors at whatever training facility, overseas teams use in the UK. Was always going to be a low key run around for the Belgium 2nd string side. But true value for Hay is getting as many as possible, of his first choice team together.
Without Wood & Smith being able to get playing time with the younger brigade, that to date they have hardly played with - value of fixture is diminished a lot.
Sky News in the UK saying that England are playing NZ at Wembley ahead of the Nations League games against Belgium and Iceland. Massive game for our lads if that goes ahead.
https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/sep/09/england-mens-seniors-to-play-new-zealand-at-wembley-090920
As long as NZF can organise travel exemptions where required, and the players when they return from Belgium (or wherever game is played), don't have to quarantine back in the European country where they are living for their club football - then yes good chance game would go ahead you'd hope.
England requires a 14 day quarantine requirement for anyone returning from most European countries. Not sure Burnley would be keen to lose Wood for two weeks. I sure hope NZF can pull these games off but things are getting messier by the day
Hence why they are seeking to organise exemptions.
I've heard that to get around covid restrictions, Wood will share a private plane with KDB to get to the game and back.
that's brilliant.
I've heard that to get around covid restrictions, Wood will share a private plane with KDB to get to the game and back.
that's brilliant.
Got room for Tommy Smith and Wee Mac?
McGlinchey will likely be needed if Joe Bell can't play.
I've heard that to get around covid restrictions, Wood will share a private plane with KDB to get to the game and back.
that's brilliant.
Got room for Tommy Smith and Wee Mac?
McGlinchey will likely be needed if Joe Bell can't play.
Yikes, would like to think we’d have moved on since Peru
The UK's two week quarantine is full of holes. Professional sports people are exempt as are many others like myself (aeronautical engineer). So no issues there.
Bigger issue is avoiding asymptomatic people while in either the UK or the continent.
NZ Football obviously have planeloads of money to throw around.
This seems like a coach's ego trip to me.
???
How...
NZ Football obviously have planeloads of money to throw around.
This seems like a coach's ego trip to me.
It's the English FA who have loads of money to throw around and I'm sure will be meeting most of the All Whites' expenses.
We've secured this game I'm sure mostly because there are few countries available for England to play in a friendly in that window due to Covid-19 and the Nations League tying up most Euro countries (same with the Belgium game).
Will cost NZ football a lot less than assembling players from all over the world for a home friendly in NZ.
The players only have to travel a short distance from where they live in the UK or Europe.
Plus, the AW's haven't played for almost a year and there's money sitting there earmarked previously for the two cancelled March games in the Middle East and the empty international program this year for all NZ sides.
Any news Andrew V. on the Mexico game for October you mentioned in your Stuff article last week?
Still on the cards?
Would it be played in Europe or Mexico?
(Andrew V. it's great getting your well-informed info both on these forums and on Stuff)
Any news Andrew V. on the Mexico game for October you mentioned in your Stuff article last week?
Still on the cards?
Would it be played in Europe or Mexico?
(Andrew V. it's great getting your well-informed info both on these forums and on Stuff)
Almost 100% sure both the other mooted friendlies against USA and Mexico are to be in Europe, as well. Travel is obviously very restrictive at the moment, and anyone travelling to Mexico (border is open - unlike most Latin American countries) would most likely have to quarantine back in the EU. Possibly not if travelling from the US.
As with the AWs, likely the US and Mexico (if games happen) would both be restricted to picking solely Euro based players.
NZ Football obviously have planeloads of money to throw around.
This seems like a coach's ego trip to me.
These are the cheapest, quality friendlies (if they happen), NZF has likely come across in ions. And given how next year especially is shaping up, actually pretty important games for this World Cup cycle.
Initially I questioned their value - especially with the MLS group likely unavailable - but now I see them as yes really useful. Hopefully say at least 2 of the mooted 4 games happen.
NZ Football obviously have planeloads of money to throw around.
This seems like a coach's ego trip to me.
This seems like someone who doesn't like Hay looking for reasons to be negative actually.
People complain we have no games... we organise games against England and Belgium and that isn't good enough! Even if it is financially not prudent it still wouldn't be Hay's fault, of course a coach wants games and his job isn't to work out the financial pro/cons!
I also suspect it's possibly cheaper than having a game in NZ since we are using euro based players and not having to cover the cost of an overseas team coming here for a one off match.
awww man!
Wouldn't be surprised if the All Whites win this tbh.
You are not easily surprised....
NZ Football obviously have planeloads of money to throw around.
This seems like a coach's ego trip to me.
This seems like someone who doesn't like Hay looking for reasons to be negative actually.
People complain we have no games... we organise games against England and Belgium and that isn't good enough! Even if it is financially not prudent it still wouldn't be Hay's fault, of course a coach wants games and his job isn't to work out the financial pro/cons!
I also suspect it's possibly cheaper than having a game in NZ since we are using euro based players and not having to cover the cost of an overseas team coming here for a one off match.
A few points here:
I doubt FNZ has a lot of money to toss about.
What is the point of fielding a sub strength team? To find out who has form? To find out how they fit in to a 'system'. Media reports suggest Hay has yet to find a system. To assess players against each other (training camp stuff)? To test players who may be fringe but get to play because they are in Europe?
Like most fans I am keen to see a game, but would like to see a team full of in form players who have fought for and proved their worth in their positions.
Will it be a money making exercise? If yes, lets have more, but without spectators I doubt the profitability.
I am keen to be convinced that it's a worthy exercise.
I would have thought, for the viral moment, it would be more effective for Danny to get around and look at all the potential players in their own leagues.
Good news for Hay's coaching stats.
NZ Football obviously have planeloads of money to throw around.
This seems like a coach's ego trip to me.
This seems like someone who doesn't like Hay looking for reasons to be negative actually.
People complain we have no games... we organise games against England and Belgium and that isn't good enough! Even if it is financially not prudent it still wouldn't be Hay's fault, of course a coach wants games and his job isn't to work out the financial pro/cons!
I also suspect it's possibly cheaper than having a game in NZ since we are using euro based players and not having to cover the cost of an overseas team coming here for a one off match.
A few points here:
I doubt FNZ has a lot of money to toss about.
What is the point of fielding a sub strength team? To find out who has form? To find out how they fit in to a 'system'. Media reports suggest Hay has yet to find a system. To assess players against each other (training camp stuff)? To test players who may be fringe but get to play because they are in Europe?
Like most fans I am keen to see a game, but would like to see a team full of in form players who have fought for and proved their worth in their positions.
Will it be a money making exercise? If yes, lets have more, but without spectators I doubt the profitability.
I am keen to be convinced that it's a worthy exercise.
I would have thought, for the viral moment, it would be more effective for Danny to get around and look at all the potential players in their own leagues.
The fact that Royz has endorsed your comments, sort of says it all. You have totally missed the point of why these friendlies have some value. They are likely to be the only opportunities to play quality opponents until the March 2022 window, the last window before June 2020 intercontinental playoffs.
All windows in 2021 are likely to be taken up by OFC qualifying, starting with rather pointless games against likes of American Samoa, Cook Islands etc in March 2021. None of the OFC games (and yes AWs have to first progress out of OFC) are really going to be great value, as preparation for those 2 huge June 2022 matches. Against the Island nations, AWs are likely to dominate possession and more than likely vice versa with their intercontinental opponent esp with the away leg.
Then also next year there is likely to be big problems assembling a full strength AWs side. Think these Euro AWs for Oct-Nov (if they gonna happen) will be weak? The side for the first OFC phase in March next year will be far weaker. Rule out the MLS crowd (their new season will be starting there, and MLS doesn't generally stop for FIFA windows). Rule out all/most of the Euro pros - who will be in the business end of their seasons, so why travel downunder for some OFC mis matches. Plus will travel from US/Europe even be possible in this Covid world come March next year? That AWs team in the first easy stage of OFC will be an A League/Handy Prem selection (B/C side).
Right through all of 2021 it could be very difficult to assemble a full strength AWs team, and even then it's likely just playing the OFC teams. As above will be nothing like playing an intercontinental opponent. Playing a England/Belgium/USA or Mexico is a far better test.
These proposed AWs games for Oct-Nov look cheap as chips (most if not all of the players are already in Europe), and offer a very rare chance to play quality opposition - always a problem for AWs and their coach. You also have the issue that at the moment, the young brigade coming through (Bell, Singh, McCowatt, Cacace, Just, Pjinaker etc) are still basically strangers with older heads like Wood, Thomas, Smith etc. Any chance for them to get together needs to be grabbed. Otherwise you could get all the way to March 2022, and they still haven't spent much/any time together.
Don't forget NZF will be very eager to qualify for Qatar. They still have significant cash reserves, but these are slowly being drained every year I understand. Big portion of those cash reserves came from FIFA's $US10M cheque in 2010 (WC qualification), and TV money from 2013 intercontinental games verus Mexico. Basically from those two AWs related events, cash has been used to finance the international program for all mens, boys, womens & girls teams since. International Teams Fund. With 2023 Womens World Cup I imagine there will be big pressure on NZF to finance an intensive lead in program for the Football Ferns. There will always be hands out for those cash reserves. Phoenix themselves have now gone to NZF rightly asking for a bit of assistance, being such an important football pathway in NZ.
So yeah WC qualification for Qatar, and getting a nice cheque from FIFA could become all important. Otherwise the period up to 2026 WC (when OFC get 1.5 spots) could be a very tough financial time for NZF. With the talent on paper that Hay has at his disposal (much more talented crew than Hudson had to play with), AWs have a real chance to make it. Esp if the intercontinental opponent drawn is AFC or CONCACAF. Based on the last playoffs in 2017, that would have been either Australia or Honduras. Both beatable. For sure Socceroos are currently beatable.
So yeah these proposed friendlies definitely have some value, hopefully at least 2 of them can happen. Whether the AWs get thumped say 6-1 by Belgian/English 2nd string is really of zero importance. It's grabbing that oh so rare opportunity to play a quality opponent, plus getting most of the first 11 together - a real challenge in the year ahead.
Really only Reid, M Boxall, and an A League RB (Roux, Payne or Elliott) would be missing from a first choice team. Might have to add Bell to that list, by looks of it. But the core of the first choice team, plus many of the backups are now in Europe. It's all about some prep before June 2022.
NZ Football obviously have planeloads of money to throw around.
This seems like a coach's ego trip to me.
This seems like someone who doesn't like Hay looking for reasons to be negative actually.
People complain we have no games... we organise games against England and Belgium and that isn't good enough! Even if it is financially not prudent it still wouldn't be Hay's fault, of course a coach wants games and his job isn't to work out the financial pro/cons!
I also suspect it's possibly cheaper than having a game in NZ since we are using euro based players and not having to cover the cost of an overseas team coming here for a one off match.
A few points here:
I doubt FNZ has a lot of money to toss about.
What is the point of fielding a sub strength team? To find out who has form? To find out how they fit in to a 'system'. Media reports suggest Hay has yet to find a system. To assess players against each other (training camp stuff)? To test players who may be fringe but get to play because they are in Europe?
Like most fans I am keen to see a game, but would like to see a team full of in form players who have fought for and proved their worth in their positions.
Will it be a money making exercise? If yes, lets have more, but without spectators I doubt the profitability.
I am keen to be convinced that it's a worthy exercise.
I would have thought, for the viral moment, it would be more effective for Danny to get around and look at all the potential players in their own leagues.
the point is actually getting our team together and playing competitive football. Pulling out because we cant get Hay's best 11 on the field is insane, he's never going to be able to get everyone he wants at the same time for every match up. This was a great chance to get a squad together, and actually start working on what he is being paid to do!
