New Zealand Football has taken its review of competitions on the road, and online, in the second stage of a wide-ranging look at how competition structures meet the needs of players, coaches, referees and fans.

While a review panel led by Rhodes Scholar and gold medal-winning former Black Stick Selwyn Maister has already been conducting interviews with key stakeholders, the launch of an online survey and a series of ‘town hall’ meetings across New Zealand Football’s seven member federations widens the level the engagement.

“The panel has done the ground work,” said NZF CEO Michael Glading, “and now its time to open the debate to the people who play and serve the game.”

“We are committed to talking to all levels of the sport, and giving everyone who wants to the chance to have their say about the structure of football competitions.”

“People can now come to a meeting in their region, email a submission to us or take a quick survey.”

The shape, purpose, integration and sustainability of national and regional competitions form the 2010 season onwards is under review by the seven-member panel who will make recommendations to the NZF board in September.

Final decisions are expected by the end of 2009. Those interested in attending any one of the federation-hosted meetings are invited to contact the respective federation for more information, confirmed timings and to register on the speaking list.

Email address: submissions@nzfootball.co.nz

Online Survey: http://bit.ly/NZF-Survey

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

The Young All Whites avoided all the traditional heavyweights in this weekend's draw for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria but coach Steve Cain is still wary of their African, European and Central American opposition.

Based in the southern Nigerian city of Enugu, New Zealand open their Group D account against Costa Rica on October 25, before taking on African qualifiers Burkina Faso three days later and rounding out pool play against Turkey on October 31.

Hosts and reigning champions Nigeria kick off the tournament against Germany on October 24 in Abuja, and while Oceania champions New Zealand managed to sidestep those two bi­g guns along with Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Brazil, Cain says the unpredictable nature of age-group World Cups means there are no easy groups.

“This tournament has been won by teams from North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia so we know that the winner could come from anywhere, including our group,” Cain said.

“African teams have won it five times and tended to dominate, so on African soil I think Burkina Faso will be the team to watch in our pool.”

“Turkey knocked out England in qualifying and have got the potential to go all the way in this World Cup, while Costa Rica’s stock is rising quickly in world football and will in no doubt bring a technically gifted team to the event.

At the draw in Abuja, the 24 teams were divided into six groups of four, from which the top two teams from each, and the four best third-placed teams, will progress to round of 16.

Having seen the match-ups in other groups Cain admitted there was a “glimmer of light” that the Young All Whites could become the first New Zealand team to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup.

“Our aim was always to make it through to the second round, regardless of who we drew, and our goals for the tournament haven’t changed.”

FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009
October 24 - November 15, 2009

Group A: Nigeria, Germany, Honduras, Argentina
Group B: Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland
Group C: Iran, Gambia, Colombia, Netherlands
Group D: Turkey, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, New Zealand
Group E: UAE, Malawi, Spain, USA
Group F: Uruguay, Korea Republic, Algeria, Italy

Young All Whites FIFA U-17 World Cup Schedule - Group D

October 25 – New Zealand v Costa Rica
October 28 – New Zealand v Burkina Faso
October 31 – New Zealand v Turkey

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) U-17 champions New Zealand have been drawn with Burkina Faso, Costa Rica and Turkey in Group D of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 after the official draw took place in Abuja overnight (7 August).

The FIFA tournament involving 24 teams will be played in Abuja, Bauchi, Calabar, Enugu, Ijebu-Ode, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos from 24 October to 15 November.

New Zealand’s U-17 side – otherwise known as the Young All Whites – qualified for the finals by winning the OFC U-17 Championship New Zealand 2009 in April.  

With FIFA vice-president and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Jack A. Warner, in attendance, the draw set up some thrilling encounters including an opening match that sees reigning champions and hosts Nigeria pitted against Germany.

The draw ceremony also included the unveiling of the official mascot of the tournament – Bobo the eaglet.

For all the latest reaction to the draw visit FIFA.com

FIFA U-17 World Cup Official Draw

Group A : Nigeria, Germany, Honduras, Argentina
Group B : Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland
Group C : Iran, Gambia, Colombia, Netherlands
Group D : Turkey, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, New Zealand
Group E : UAE, Malawi, Spain, USA
Group F : Uruguay, Korea Republic, Algeria, Italy

New Zealand’s Mike Hester has become one of Oceania’s most experienced referees in recent years and is in the running for an appointment at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Most recently, Hester officiated at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 with fellow Kiwis Jan Hintz and Mark Rule as his assistants.

The trio were appointed the Group B fixture between Egypt and USA and acquitted themselves well in what turned out to be one of the tournament’s most pivotal matches.

The eight-team tournament was part of the screening process for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ with 10 refereeing trios taking part.

On Hester’s return from South Africa, NZFootball.co.nz caught up with the referee to hear how he got on.

How was the overall experience?

Overall, we had fantastic experience, and I think we had a pretty good tournament. You go to these events and hope to get a positive experience in terms of being in the tournament environment or having a successful match or successful batch of appointments. With the All Whites playing in the tournament it meant that our opportunities were probably quite limited but in the end we got a key match and were really pleased with how it went.

The USA v Egypt match you were appointed to turned out to be crucial for the semi final hopes of three teams, which would’ve probably been unexpected at the outset. Given the importance of the match and the pressure, how did you feel you performed?

I felt we added to a really open and entertaining match. Obviously both teams had a lot to play for and the way the result was going on in the other match [Italy losing to Brazil] it brought USA back into the fold. So at times the football was a bit on the frantic side but we kept our composure and control and contributed to an entertaining and ultimately key match.

There were a couple of potentially match-turning moments in that game – a handball shout in the box which you turned down, and a contentious goal which you awarded. Replays have subsequently proved you got both decisions right, but at the time did you know you had made the right call or was it a case of just making a call and then reviewing later?

One of the mental processes you go through as a refereeing is observing what happened, interpreting it and making a decision. In both of those instances I observed what I thought had happened, instinct told me how I should interpret it and make the decision and move on to the next decision, which followed quickly after that. To see the decision again on TV later that day reconfirmed that we had got those key decisions right.

That must bode well for you and your assistants Mark Rule and Jan Hintz as you work towards an appointment to the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010. What’s the next step for you and the other kiwi ref on FIFA’s shortlist, Peter O’Leary, in terms of pressing your claim for that tournament, before the final list is announced in February 2010?

There’s another three FIFA tournaments this year that all the World Cup candidates will be viewed at, and we’re hopeful that we’ll be appointed to either  Egypt [FIFA U-20 World Cup], Nigeria [FIFA U-17 World Cup], or Abu Dhabi [FIFA Club World Cup]. That’ll present a more realistic opportunity to press our claim but ultimately you’ve got to take it one match at a time so that’ll be our approach. If we get an opportunity we’ll be taking advantage of it.

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

AUCKLAND – Veteran All Whites defender Ivan Vicelich admits the 86-year-old Chatham Cup still holds special meaning for him ahead of the fourth round’s headline fixture between Waitakere City and Central United on Sunday.

The 68-cap All White has done more than most kiwis in the game, from carving out a professional playing career at home (Football Kingz) and in Europe (Roda JC and RKC Waalwijk), to winning the NZFC and OFC Champions League last season with Auckland City, and now comes full circle in a competition where he got his first taste of success with a hat-trick of winner’s medals.

At 19, Vicelich turned in a man of the match performance to lift Waitakere to its first of three Chatham Cup titles with a 1-0 win over Wellington Olympic in the 1994 cup final in Napier, a feat he repeated three seasons later for Central as they engraved their name on the trophy for the first time.

“The Chatham Cup certainly holds some great memories for me having won it with both clubs,” said Vicelich, who also part of Central’s victorious 1998 team.

“It always throws up memorable games. I remember Central being two goals to Napier City Rovers down in the 1997 final in Napier and coming back to win 3-2 in extra time. It was a magnificent way to win with a lot of friends in the team and a lot of supporters making the trip down to witness the club win its first major trophy.”

The 32 year old has just returned from the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, a tournament for which he came out of international retirement, and while he has yet to decide whether he’ll be involved for the All Whites’ crucial World Cup playoff against Bahrain or Saudi Arabia later this year, he wasted no time in playing a pair of games for Central last weekend to blow off the jet lag and ensure he was eligible for this weekend’s fixture at Waitakere’s Fred Taylor Park.

“The cup is so full of tradition. It has a long history and it’s such a tough fight to get your hands on the trophy. People say the split between summer and winter has taken some of the shine of it but the players are still hungry and real football people know how much of an honour it is to win.”

Also vying for a place in the quarterfinals are four-time winners Waterside-Karori, although the Wellington Premier League side face a tough ask on Sunday against an Olympic side unbeaten in the Central League this season.

On Saturday, three time winners Miramar Rangers welcome Wellington United to the recently renamed David Farrington Park, while Auckland dark horse Three Kings take on Northern League leaders Lynn Avon at Ken Maunder Park and two time winners Manurewa clash with Metro at Memorial Park.

In Dunedin, the Southern Region’s leading clubs Caversham and Dunedin Tech will battle at the Caledonian on Saturday, while Glenfield Rovers and Forrest-Hill Milford meet in a Sunday cup derby on Auckland’s North Shore.

Nelson Suburbs – semi-finalists last season – became the first team into the last eight last weekend when they defeated Christchurch’s Woolston Technical 2-0 at Saxton Field.

All games kick off at 2pm (New Zealand Time)

Chatham Cup Round 4

Northern Region
Manurewa v Metro - Memorial Park, July 4
Lynn-Avon United v Three Kings United - Ken Maunder Park, July 4
Glenfield Rovers v Forrest Hill Milford - McFetridge Park, July 5
Waitakere City v Central United - Fred Taylor Park, July 5

Central Region
Miramar Rangers v Wellington United - David Farrington Park, July 4
Olympic v Waterside-Karori - Newtown Park, July 5

Southern Region
Nelson Suburbs 2 Woolston Technical 0 (played June 28)
Caversham v Dunedin Tech - Caledonian, July 4

Story and photo courtesy NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is looking to reignite the spark in his players before they face Asian champions Iraq on Sunday morning (NZT) in what has become a dry run for the away leg of the World Cup playoff.

On Thursday morning, a tired-looking All Whites went down 0-2 to FIFA Confederations Cup hosts South Africa - New Zealand's fifth international in 14 days - ending any hope of qualifying for the semi-finals.

However, the bigger aim for New Zealand in the 'mini World Cup' was always to prepare for a home and away World Cup playoff against the fifth best Asian nation - either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia - in October and November, and Herbert says their tournament swansong is far from a dead rubber.

"It has all the ingredients of what we'll face in the away leg in October," Herbert said.

"We're away from home in a stadium we've never played in before against a Middle Eastern side who can make they next round with a win. We can really lay a marker for later in the year with a good performance here."

The All Whites have an informal session with local school children in Johannesburg and an official walkover at Ellis Park but in between Herbert is offering the players a change in routine after four weeks on tour.

"It's been a long tour and it has caught up with a few players. Maybe we missed some of the signs of mental and physical fatigue against Spain because the European champions have been doing that to everyone over something like 34 games now.

"But the energy levels that were there against Italy weren't there against South Africa and we need to address it rather than risk slipping further.

"We'll do things differently before Iraq as we need everyone back to their best to compete with the Asian champs."

There is still the small matter of New Zealand's first point at a Confederations Cup, a tournament goal that has yet to be realised.

"History has been a big motivator for this group of players for the last four years and getting that first point at a Confederations Cup still drives us."

Herbert may resist the urge for wholesale changes but Mark Paston should get a run in goal in place of the impressive Glen Moss, who is suspended from the World Cup playoff in October and November while Ben Sigmund may get his chance in the centre of defence.

Outside that, the All Whites coaching staff plan to wait and see how players respond physically and mentally over their final training day before making selection calls.

The match kicks off at 6.30am on Sunday, with coverage live on Sky Sports 2 from 6am.

FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009
Match 8
Group A

New Zealand v Iraq
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday 20 June 8.30pm (June 21, 6.30am NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 2 from 6am

New Zealand (from): 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 2-Aaron SCOTT, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Duncan OUGHTON, 5-Ben SIGMUND, 6-Ivan VICELICH, 7-Simon ELLIOTT, 8-Tim BROWN (Captain), 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Leo BERTOS, 12-Glen MOSS (GK), 13-Andy BARRON, 14-Jeremy CHRISTIE, 15-Jeremy BROCKIE, 16-Chris JAMES, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 19-Steven OLD, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Kris BRIGHT, 22-Jarrod SMITH, 23-James BANNATYNE (GK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Iraq (from): 1-NOOR SABRI  (GK), 2-MOHAMMED ALI KAREEM, 3-BASEM ABBAS, 4-FAREED MAJEED, 5-NASHAT AKRAM, 6-SALIH SADIR, 7-EMAD MOHAMMED, 8-LUAY SALAH, 9-ABDUL WAHHAB ABU AL HAIL, 10-YOUNIS MAHMOUD, 11-HAWAR MULLA MOHAMMED, 12-MOHAMMED KASSID (GK) 13-KARRAR JASIM, 14-SALAM SHAKER, 15-ALI HUSSEIN REHEMA, 16-DARA MOHAMMED, 17-ALAA ABDUL ZAHRA, 18-MAHDI KAREEM, 19-ISAM YASEEN, 20-SAMER SAEED, 21-ODAY TALIB (GK), 22 MUAYAD KHALID, 23 HALKARD MULLA MOHAMMED.
Coach: Bora MILUTINOVIC

Story and photo courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - All Whites coach Ricki Herbert believes Thursday morning's friendly against FIFA World Champions Italy in Pretoria is as exciting for fans as it is testing for the players.

New Zealand take on the Azzurri in their final warm-up for the FIFA Confederations Cup and while Herbert is excited about the proposition, it's not just because he sees it as an ideal introduction to the levels of skill and intensity New Zealand will face four days later in their tournament opener against world number one Spain.

"For a multiple of reasons it's great for the game," Herbert said.

"It's a fantastic opportunity. It may be mammoth gap between where we're they are and we're at but it gives a chance on that world stage to put a good foot forward and I think we can."

Italy arrived in South Africa on the back of a 3-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland in Pisa and, as the match against New Zealand is the Azzurri's only warm-up before their Group B opener against the USA, Marcello Lippi may elect to give many of his front liners another hit out.

Like Spain on June 15 (NZT), Italy will field a line-up stacked with the most influential players from Europe's top clubs but Herbert says that is exactly why fans will get excited.

"One of the important things of getting to this level, is that those sort of things flow into the game.

"Whilst it'll be great for the players on the pitch to play the best players and the best teams in the world, football fans can switch that on and watch their own team play the likes of (Italy captain) Fabio Cannavaro or (Spain's Liverpool striker) Fernando Torres or whoever.

"People watch those players week in and week out because they they're the best players in the world. There'll be some amazing match-ups and some really intriguing competitions on the park."

"Kids will love it. They'll watch and see that opportunities are there in the game and if you can qualify these are the sorts of teams you're going to come up against."

The bulk of the New Zealand team has seen game time in friendlies against Tanzania and Botswana but the battle for starting spots has taken on added intensity this week with the 11 named by Herbert against Italy likely to line-up against Spain on June 15 (NZT).

"I think we're pretty close to settling on a starting 11 out against Italy which would obviously translate into a starting 11 for Spain.

"It's a tough call. There's some good depth through the squad. There'll be some disappointments but that's the reality of this level of football."

With just two training sessions left, the biggest selection decision left for the All Whites coaching staff is what role, if any, Ben Sigmund would play.

Herbert had targeted this match for Sigmund's first taste of game time on tour after recovering from off-season surgery and while the defender's recovery was on track, decisions on whether Sigmund would play, and if that would be as a starter or from the bench, would be left until the night before the match. 

"I think physiologically the full component of where he needs to be from a match fitness point of view is going to be difficult for him," Herbert said.

"He's coping with the workload we've given him and from a pain perspective he's kind of got through that barrier now so the signs are positive. We've got two sessions before the Italy game and we should be in a position to make that call.

The decision (on whether he starts the game) is based on the team's needs and if we think it's in the teams' interest to start him we will, but we're probably 24 hours from making that commitment.

The match kicks off at 6.45am New Zealand time with live coverage on Sky Sport 2 from 6.30am.

New Zealand v Italy
International Friendly
Super Stadium, Pretoria
Wednesday 10 June 8.45pm (June 11, 6.45am NZT) Live on Sky Sport 2 from 6.30am

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 2-Aaron SCOTT, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Duncan OUGHTON, 5-Ben SIGMUND, 6-Ivan VICELICH, 7-Simon ELLIOTT, 8-Tim BROWN (Captain), 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Leo BERTOS, 12-Glen MOSS (GK), 13-Andy BARRON, 14-Jeremy CHRISTIE, 15-Jeremy BROCKIE, 16-Chris JAMES, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 19-Steven OLD, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Kris BRIGHT, 22-Jarrod SMITH, 23-James BANNATYNE (GK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Italy: 1-Gianluigi BUFFON (GK), 2-Davide SANTON, 3-Fabio GROSSO, 4-Giorgio CHIELLINI, 5-Fabio CANNAVARO, 6-Nicola LEGROTTAGLIE, 7-Simone PEPE, 8-Gennaro GATTUSO, 9-Luca TONI, 10-Daniele DE ROSSI, 11-Alberto GILARDINO, 12-Morgan DE SANCTIS (GK), 13-Alessandro GAMBERINI, 14-Marco AMELIA, 15-Vincenzo IAQUINTA, 16-Mauro CAMORANESI, 17-Giuseppe ROSSI, 18-Angelo PALOMBO, 19-Gianluca ZAMBROTTA, 20-Riccardo MONTOLIVO, 21-Andrea PIRLO, 22-Andrea DOSSENA, 23-Fabio QUAGLIARELLA Coach; Marcello LIPPI

Story courtesy of NZF Media. Photo courtesy of 1000goals.com

ENDS.

AUCKLAND – An early Shane Smeltz penalty wasn’t enough for the All Whites on the start of their pre-Confederations Cup warm-up tour, losing 1-2 to Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Thursday morning (NZT).

Smeltz converted a 10th minute penalty – his 11th goal in nine starts – to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead they held to half time, but the Taifa Stars equalised ten minutes after the break and grabbed an 89th winner to deny the All Whites a first win on African soil.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert handed 17-year-old striker Chris Wood his first international cap, while Tim Brown and Tony Lochhead had both sufficiently recovered from stomach bugs to take their place in the starting line-up for the first of three friendlies before the FIFA Confederations Cup begins.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert still had concerns over the squad’s level of match fitness 11 days out from the opening FIFA Confederations Cups match against Spain but said some players were beginning to make claims for inclusion for when he fields a first-choice eleven in the third and final warm up against World Champions Italy in Pretoria on June 10.

“If we classify this as a training run, I would have been reasonably satisfied,” Herbert said.

“I think physiologically we died away at the end but there were some positive signs from players who are going to make selection for Italy interesting.”

“It was a good opportunity to get back [on the field]. Tanzania were very quick but the pleasing thing was that they didn’t get in behind us too much. Fatigue certainly came into play but the first spell was particularly pleasing.”

“Tanzania are a very good side and were a great test for us tonight.”

Herbert handed Chris Wood his first international cap, and said the teenager didn’t look out of place at the highest level.

“I was very impressed with Chris from a work ethic point of view and he’s got a degree of pace as well. I think he’ll be very pleased with his efforts tonight.

“Age isn’t a barrier for me, but he’s done very well for such a young person. Whether or not he sets the world alight over the next few weeks or in the World Cup playoffs, he’s an absolutely quality find for New Zealand.”

Celtic striker Chris Killen and MLS Midfielder Simon Elliott – two of five players who only arrived into camp the day before the match – both came off the bench in the second half, but Herbert resisted the temptation to use the key duo more given the team face another day of travel back to Gaborone, Botswana via Johannesburg.

Tony Lochhead and captain Tim Brown and had both sufficiently recovered from stomach bugs to take their place in the starting line-up although their recovery will be monitored ahead of Sunday’s second friendly against Botswana on Sunday morning (NZT).

New Zealand vs Tanzania
National Stadium, Dar es Salaam
Wednesday 3 June

New Zealand: 1(Shane Smeltz 10-pen)
Tanzania: 2
Halftime: 0-1

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 6-Ivan VICELICH, 8-Tim BROWN (Captain), 9-Shane SMELTZ (16-Chris JAMES 75), 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Jeremy CHRISTIE (7-Simon ELLIOTT 55), 15-Jeremy BROCKIE (13-Andy BARRON 75), 17-David MULLIGAN, 19-Steven OLD, 20-Chris WOOD (10-Chris KILLEN 55).

Substitutes not used: 2-Aaron SCOTT, 4-Duncan OUGHTON, 5-Ben SIGMUND, 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 18-Andrew BOYENS, 21-Kris BRIGHT, 22-Jarrod SMITH, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).

Coach: Ricki Herbert

Story and photo courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

AUCKLAND – Auckland City captain Ivan Vicelich has answered an SOS call from All Whites coach Ricki Herbert to come out of retirement and replace injured Ryan Nelsen for the FIFA Confederations Cup campaign in South Africa.

A veteran of New Zealand’s two previous Confederations Cup appearances in 1999 and 2003, Vicelich hung up his international boots in 2008 after 63 games for the All Whites.
Around the same time, the former Roda JC and RKC Waalwijk professional returned to New Zealand after eight years in the Netherlands to spend more family time with wife Marisa and their young son Luka.

But the defender said it was hard to turn his back when Herbert, and duty, called after a torn calf muscle ruled Nelsen out for up to six weeks.

“Last year I felt the time was right to retire but the pride of being an All White doesn’t fade, and if the coach says they need you to do a job for the team, you can’t ignore that,” Vicelich said.

The All Whites will play European champions Spain, hosts South Africa and Asian champions Iraq at the eight-team tournament beginning on June 14, with a dream date against world champions Italy rounding off three pre-event warm-ups, and Herbert said Vicelich’s experience made him the obvious replacement for Nelsen.

“Ivan’s played over 60 games for the national team, and when you’re up against the best teams in the world you need someone who can not only slot into the environment seamlessly but also add to it,” Herbert said.

“He understands the enormity of the year, and where the Confederations Cup sits within that, so it’s fantastic to have him on board."

Vicelich’s last game for New Zealand was a 2-0 away win over Fiji in October 2007 with the defender’s first half strike – the last of his seven international goals – setting the All Whites up for their opening win of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

And while a World Cup playoff looms later this year, the 32-year-old – recently voted Auckland City’s player of the year after leading the club to an NZFC and O-League double – isn’t yet looking beyond June.

“At the moment my involvement is just for the Confederations Cup. The body’s still feeling good and the time back in New Zealand has refreshed me. There’s no greater honour than playing for your country so I’ll sit down with Ricki after the tournament and assess things.”

Story amd photo courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest news in NZ Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

A soggy start to the OFC U-17 Championship on Monday has seen Tahiti and New Zealand produce eight goals to take the early advantage over New Caledonia and Vanuatu at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium. 

With Oceania’s spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 on the line, Tahiti and New Zealand are now equal on points and goal difference after the Tahitians beat their francophone rivals New Caledonia 5-2 and the Kiwis overpowered Vanuatu 3-0.

Tahiti got off to the perfect possible start in the opening match scoring in the first minute through striker Hiva Kamoise. But New Caledonia hit back 10 minutes later with Louis Wanakaen volleying home from a corner after making an incisive near-post run.

New Caledonia enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the first half and went close to going ahead in the 21st minute when Damien Wanapopo’s powerful left-foot shot struck the bar.

But it was Tahiti who took the advantage going into the break after Kaurani Voirin scored from the penalty spot just before halftime to make it 2-1.

New Caledonia came out firing in the second half and equalized through Stephane Wahaga in the 47th minute. With the match hanging in the balance, New Caledonia’s hopes dropped when Patrick Quaze received his marching orders in the 56th minute after a second yellow card. From the ensuing free kick just outside the box, Voirin grabbed his second with a low drive that took a slight deflection en route to goal.

Tahiti took control of the match from that point adding two more through Heitini Tupea in the 82nd and Heirarii Tavanae just before the final whistle with Voirin having a hand in both.

Coach Lionel Charbonnier was satisfied with the result but believes his team could have put more goals away in the closing period.

“In this tournament goal difference is important in case of a draw so when the chances are there you have to score,” said the former French international.

“I think we missed three or four goals and I hope we don’t have to pay for that at the end of the competition.”

Meanwhile New Zealand also enjoyed a three-goal winning margin through strikes from Jamie Doris, Andrew Milne and Gordon Murie.

With heavy rain continuing on the stadium’s outer field, New Zealand attacked from the outset with Thomas Spragg setting up Jamie Dorris for a goal in the ninth minute and a second coming for the hosts just 5 minutes later after goalkeeper Coey Turipa launched a goal kick into the opposition penalty area for Andrew Milne to collect and slot home.

Vanuatu’s best chance came in the 42nd minute when striker Moken Multungtung broke the line and had just the keeper to beat but shot wide.

Multungtung kept peppering New Zealand’s goal in the second half and his 59th minute shot into the top left corner was brilliantly saved by Turipa. At the other end New Zealand’s Cameron Lindsay was on form and went close to scoring in the 75th minute with a shot that bounced back off the post.

After the match, New Zealand coach Steve Cain stressed the importance of keeping a clean-sheet.

“We’re pleased with the win but most of all we’re pleased with not conceding. We’ve set a goal to not concede any goals this week, and that’s going to be our approach to every game,” Cain said.

“We know we can score goals at the other end, and really we probably should’ve scored more in the second half, but those chances will go in on another day. We were honest, we matched their effort and that probably won us the game.”

AUCKLAND – Thai Airways All Whites coach Ricki Herbert says he his relishing the chance to spend valuable time with his squad during a week long trip to Thailand.

Herbert named an almost full strength squad for matches against Thailand and Thailand ‘A’ on March 28 and 31 respectively – with just Leo Bertos and Ben Sigmund unavailable through injury, and young players Kris Bright and Aaron Scott given an opportunity to impress.

The New Zealand-based All Whites departed Auckland on Tuesday for Bangkok, where they will meet up with their overseas-based team-mates.

Given the All Whites diaspora now spreads from Greece and Belgium through Scandinavia and Britain to Australia and North America, it’s not surprising that Herbert is looking forward to what has essentially become a seven day camp with the cancellation of a second friendly in Indonesia.

“Time together is hugely important,” Herbert said.

“When you look around the world now, and even at our close neighbours Australia who have managed to get camps where they can bring players in. The difficulty we have when we play big crucial matches is a lack of time.”

“We’ve got players scattered around the world now, and it’s not easy from a logistical point of view.
The two matches – the first of 2009 – are part of the final build-up to June’s Confederations Cup and the hugely anticipated World Cup playoff in October and November. The All Whites boss already had one eye on those dates.

“This tour is about us, spending time with the players, looking at what we need to achieve later this year as well,” Herbert said.

“I think if we can bed that down, put some clarity around it and get players comfortable with those aims then that’ll only help in the long run.

“It’s seven days working together, seeing the players, having time to communicate face-to-face and having a look at the tactics and strategies we’re going to evolve later on.”

Herbert admits to not knowing much about Thailand apart from acknowledging their recent results that include a draw with powerhouse Iran and a narrow 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia, both of whom the All Whites could potentially meet later in the year.

“Thailand are in good form and their results recently have been very interesting.”

“We don’t know a great deal about them, and are a little in the dark in that respect, but it’ll be about trying things ourselves, because there are bigger important things later in the year.

“We do know they’ll be mobile, technically very good have pace around the pitch. There’ll probably be a daunting number of people watching in the crowd but a lot of our players have gone through that already.”

All Whites in Thailand

March 28
New Zealand v Thailand
International Friendly
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 6.30pm (12.30am Mar 29 NZT)

March 31
New Zealand v Thailand ‘A’
International Friendly
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 6.30pm (12.30am Apr 1 NZT)

All Whites Squad to Thailand

Goalkeepers: Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix), Glen MOSS (Melbourne Victory)
Defenders: Kris BOUCKENOOGHE (Club Roeselare, Belgium), Andrew BOYENS (New York Red Bulls), Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix), David MULLIGAN (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan NELSEN (Blackburn Rovers), Aaron SCOTT (Waitakere United),
Midfielders: Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy CHRISTIE (Wellington Phoenix), Simon ELLIOTT (San Jose Earthquakes, USA), Chris JAMES (Tampere United, Finland), Duncan OUGHTON (Columbus Crew, USA),
Forwards: Kris BRIGHT (Panserraikas FC, Greece), Jeremy BROCKIE (North Queensland Fury), Chris KILLEN (Celtic), Shane SMELTZ (Gold Coast United), Jarrod SMITH (Seattle Sounders)

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest news in NZ Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

AUCKLAND – The New Zealand U-17 football team have finished their Japanese tour on a high with a pulsating 4-3 win over Japan in Fukuoka on Monday.

The Young All Whites raced to a 4-1 lead after an hour but suffered some nervous moments as Japan scored twice in two minutes to reduce the deficit with 15 minute remaining, before closing the game out in the final minutes.

The result against a team that has already qualified for FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria later this year is a huge fillip for Steve Cain’s young team ahead of their own Auckland-based Oceania qualifiers in April, and reversed a 1-2 defeat to Japan in the opening game of the Sanix Cup four days ago.

“That momentum is exactly what we’re looking for. We’ve only lost two games here [of seven], not counting the penalty shootouts, and in the last two games we’ve scored 11 goals,” Cain said.

“To beat Japan and put four past them on home patch is really pleasing.”

It took just 10 minutes for New Zealand to carve an opening down Japan’s left hand flank with Andrew Milne on the receiving end of a pin-point cross, while Andrew Bevin scored in similar fashion nine minutes later.

In the 35th minute a spilled shot bounced into the path of a Japanese striker to make it 2-1 at half time, but ten minutes after halftime Cameron Lindsay capped a deep run from midfield with a neat low finish, and then Milne teed up Jamie Dorris on the edge of the area to make it 4-1 with half an hour left to play.

Andrew Bevin smashed a shot on to the cross bar in the 72nd minute, and Japan swept down the other end of the field and scored, and grabbed their third goal just two minutes later.

“Against teams like Japan it’s never over, especially with their pace and skill. We’ve gone down one end at hit the bar, which would’ve made it 5-1, and they’ve got two quick goals and suddenly it’s 4-3.

“They piled the pressure on in a period the boys have settled down and held on quite comfortably in the end.”

New Zealand vs. Japan International Friendly
Fukuoka, Japan
March 23, 2009

New Zealand: 4 (Andrew Milne 10, Andrew Bevin 19, Cameron Lindsay 55, Jamie Dorris)
Japan: 3
Halftime: 2-1

New Zealand: Coey Turipa (GK), Adam Thomas, Josh Morrison, Gordon Murie (Dylan Windust 80), Zane Sole, Andrew Bevin, Ashton Pett, Andrew Milne, Michael Built, Cameron Lindsay, Jamie Doris.
Substitutes not used: Alex Carr (RGK), Steven Kibby, Thomas Spragg, Fergus Neil, Ross Haviland, Nikolai Molijn, Tim Pilkington, Ernesto Lopez.
Coach: Steve Cain

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For all the latest NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

AUCKLAND – The Thai Airways All Whites will follow their March 28 friendly against Thailand with a March 31 match against Thailand ‘A’ to replace a cancelled fixture against Indonesia.

The Indonesian leg of New Zealand’s two match South East Asian trip was cancelled on March 2 due to safety concerns around that country’s upcoming legislative elections.

New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading said removing the travel factor and turning the tour into a week-long Bangkok camp offered a settled start to a busy 2009 campaign.

“Less time spent travelling means more time together and more time on the grass. With our players spread far and wide, making the most of these FIFA windows is absolutely crucial.”

The second match could give New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert – currently in the United Kingdom – the chance to experiment with combinations and offered newer players like uncapped defender Aaron Scott and one-cap striker Kris Bright the chance of extended game time.

The New Zealand-based All Whites will fly out from Auckland on March 24, meeting their Australia, Europe and US based team mates in Bangkok.

The two friendlies begin a busy year for the All Whites who face Spain, Iraq and hosts South Africa at June’s Confederations Cup before facing a yet-to-be-determined Asian nation in an October-November playoff for a place at the 2010 World Cup.

New Zealand Football are likely to announce more pre-Confederations Cup warm-ups in early April.

Story and photo courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest news in NZ Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

New Zealand’s 2009 Schedule:

March 28
New Zealand v Thailand
International Friendly
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 6.30pm (12.30am Mar 29 NZT)

March 31
New Zealand v Thailand ‘A’
International Friendly
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 6.30pm (12.30am Apr 1 NZT)

June 14-28
FIFA Confederations Cup, South Africa

New Zealand v Spain
June 15 (NZT), Rustenburg

New Zealand v South Africa
June 18 (NZT), Rustenburg

New Zealand v Iraq
June 21 (NZT), Johannesburg

October 10-14
Oceania-Asia World Cup Playoff, first leg
Date, location and opposition tbd

November 14-18
Oceania-Asia World Cup Playoff, second leg
Date, location and opposition tbd

AUCKLAND - The expanded top-four New Zealand Football Championship playoffs roar into action this weekend with red-hot Team Wellington tackling the Champions in a re-match of last year’s Grand Final while YoungHeart Manawatu and Auckland City re-ignite a dormant playoff rivalry.

The ties will be played on a home-and-away basis for the first time, and underdogs Manawatu and Wellington will need to make the most of home advantage before the Auckland-based return legs next weekend. Away goals could decide the winner if the aggregate scores are tied so the first legs could be tense and tight affairs.

Waitakere’s record this season suggests it’ll be hard enough beating them over ninety minutes, let alone 180, so to oust the champions Wellington will need every ounce of the form that has seen them win five of their last six to make the playoffs.

But if the team from the capital have been the league’s irresistible force of late, then runaway minor premiers Waitakere United are its immovable object. Only two teams have beaten the reigning New Zealand champions this season – Waikato in the NZFC and Adelaide United in at the Club World Cup – and with key players back from injury or enforced rest, the odds are short on Waitakere defending their crown.

Three-time winners Auckland finished the regular season as runners up and will earn New Zealand’s second O-League spot for next season unless Manawatu or Wellington win the March 29 Grand Final.

But two seasons ago Manawatu were in a similar position, due to qualify for the O-League until Auckland defeated them in the preliminary final and went on to win the grand final.

YoungHeart fans would love to see some payback, while the Kiwitea Street faithful have their eyes on the trophy ‘missing’ from their cabinet for the past season.

Meanwhile, a top of the table clash between Auckland City and Waitakere United at Kiwitea Street tops the bill in the Lion Foundation Youth League on Saturday, while on Sunday, the slim final hopes of both Hawke’s Bay United and Auckland-Manukau go on the line at Park Island.

Story and photos courtesy of NZF Media

For full coverage of the NZFC visit www.nzfc.co.nz

AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns upset the Netherlands 2-0 in Paralimni, Cyprus on Wednesday morning to claim their biggest scalp in twenty years and ensure a top-four finish at the Cyprus Women’s Cup.

The win over the world number 17 lifted New Zealand to second place in Group B behind Canada and booked a playoff for third overall against France on Friday morning (NZT).
Canada – who beat Russia 2-0 – will meet England in Friday’s final.

A penalty to Amber Hearn and a powerful free-kick from Kirsty Yallop – both in the second half – fired the Ferns to their first victory over a top 20 side since a 1-0 win over Canada in 1987.

“It’s a watershed moment for this team,” said head coach John Herdman.

“To scalp a second-tier team for the first time is huge for us. Once you’ve got that experience you can always draw on it.”

After a scoreless first half, New Zealand turned with the strong wind at their backs, and stepped up a gear in what captain Hayley Moorwood described as their most confident and clinical performance to date.

“It came down to belief today,” said Moorwood.

“We went to a different level today and absolutely played them off the park. To dominate a side like the Netherlands and come away with a win we deserved is pretty special.”

Neat interplay in midfield unlocked the Dutch defence for striker Emma Kete who was brought down in the box to win a 50th minute penalty.

Hearn’s successful first spot-kick was disallowed for encroachment into the box by a team mate but her blasted re-take also found the back of the net to put the Ferns in front.

New Zealand looked comfortable with their lead but there still would have been some relief when Yallop laced a 75th minute free-kick over the Dutch wall and past the keeper to provide some breathing room.

The Ferns will need to produce a similar performance against world number eight France on Friday morning to claim third place, but goal scorer Amber Hearn said there was plenty of belief in the camp.

“If we can play like we did today, we’re confident against any side.”

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest new in NZ Football please visit www.nzfootball.co.nz 

2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup
Paralimni, Cyprus
Wednesday March 11

New Zealand: 2 (Amber Hearn 50-pen, Kirsty Yallop 75)
Netherlands: 0
Halftime: 0-0

New Zealand: Jenny BINDON (GK), Ali RILEY, Abby ERCEG, Rebecca SMITH, Anna GREEN, Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain), Ria PERCIVAL (Katie HOYLE 70), Kirsty YALLOP, Betsy HASSETT, Amber HEARN, Emma KETE (Rosie WHITE 85)
Substitutes not used: Aroon CLANSEY (RGK), Kristy HILL, Marlies OOSTDAM, Annalie LONGO, Sarah McLAUGHLIN.
Head Coach: John Herdman

Results

Match Day 1:
England 6 South Africa 0
France 2 Scotland 0
New Zealand 1 Canada 1
Netherlands 2 Russia 1

Match Day 2:
England 2 France 2
South Africa 2 Scotland 0
New Zealand 2 Russia 4
Canada 2 Netherlands 1

Match Day 3:
England 3 Scotland 0
France 3 South Africa 2
New Zealand 2 Netherlands 0
Canada 2 Russia 0

AUCKLAND – A disappointing 2-4 loss to Russia on Sunday morning in Nicosia has ended the Football Ferns’ hopes of making the final of the Cyprus Women’s Cup.

Midfielder Ria Percival scored after just 90 seconds but a series of defensive lapses turned the flying start into a 1-3 halftime deficit, while wasteful finishing in an improved second half meant Amber Hearn’s 60th minute penalty was no more than consolation.

New Zealand’s well-worked opener – Hearn flicked Abby Erceg’s diagonal pass into the path of Percival who calmly lobbed the advancing Russian keeper – should have been the boost the Ferns needed to storm to an upset but it only fuelled complacency.

“Being 1-0 up that early was almost a curse for the team,” said New Zealand coach John Herdman.

“You might say the Russians turned up the tempo a bit to make it difficult for us but there was almost as sigh of relief that we’d scored a goal. It was like we’d won the game after a minute and a half.

“It was a disappointing response to a great position and a lot of it comes down to basic errors. There’ll be some tough questions asked.”

Hearn’s penalty reduced the deficit to one with half an hour remaining, but a string of gilt-edged scoring opportunities somehow went begging before Russia finally caught New Zealand short at the back in the 84th minute to kill the game.

“After watching the second half I feel for the players at the back, because sure they made mistakes in the first half and it costs us the game but the players on attack are just as culpable for the performance. The build-up play was great but the finishing was woeful at times.”

The Football Ferns drop to the bottom of Group B with one point from Friday’s 1-1 draw against Canada, who now lead the standings after defeating the Netherlands 2-1.

With just the top team from each of the tournament’s two groups making the final, New Zealand must adjust its sights and aim to finish second in its pool by beating the Netherlands on Wednesday and playing off for third overall on the final day.

“We have to go for it. The Dutch are there for the taking after being beaten by Canada. What we’ve seen is that there’s no big gap between any of the teams in our group. It’s just who has the extra quality on the day.”

In Group A, joint leaders England and France drew 2-2 while South Africa upset Scotland 2-0 to move into third.

2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup
Nicosia, Cyprus
Sunday March 8

New Zealand: 2 (Ria Percival 2, Amber Hearn (pen) 60)
Russia: 4
Halftime: 1-3

New Zealand: Jenny BINDON (GK), Ali RILEY, Abby ERCEG, Rebecca SMITH, Anna GREEN (Marlies OOSTDAM 63), Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain), Ria PERCIVAL (Annalie LONGO 60), Kirsty YALLOP, Betsy HASSETT (Katie HOYLE 80), Amber HEARN (Sarah McLAUGHLIN 80), Rosie WHITE (Emma KETE 70)
Substitutes not used: Aroon CLANSEY (RGK), Kristy HILL.
Head Coach: John Herdman

Results:

Day 1:
England 6 South Africa 0
France 2 Scotland 0
New Zealand 1 Canada 1
Netherlands 2 Russia 1

Day 2:
England 2 France 2
South Africa 2 Scotland 0
New Zealand 2 Russia 4
Canada 2 Netherlands 1

New Zealand Schedule:

March 10 – New Zealand v the Netherlands
Paralimni (1am, Wed Mar 11, NZT)

March 12 – Final or placing playoff, time and opposition tbd.

Story and photo courtesy of NZF Media

AUCKLAND – New Zealand have opened their Cyprus Women’s Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against defending champions Canada in Paralimni, Cyprus, on Friday morning.

Betsy Hassett equalised for New Zealand in the 34th minute and shone at the attacking tip of midfield diamond as the Football Ferns responded to Christina Julien’s early 10th minute strike with sustained pressure and waves of late attacks to push for a rare win over the world number 11.

While pleased with his side’s performance against more fancied opposition, New Zealand coach John Herdman said the final score was ultimately disappointing.

“If you’d looked in the past, we would’ve taken a draw against Canada, just the disappointing thing is that this team are looking to win football matches. We’re learning how to win, but it still eludes us,” Herdman said.

“I think we controlled possession for long periods, and Canada struggled to get out of their own half at times. We defended very high and tried to take advantage of what you’d describe as ‘overplaying’ by Canada.

“We piled a lot of pressure on but with little reward. Right up to the 92nd minute it was backs to the wall stuff for them.

“What was really pleasing today was that one of our key players, Betsy Hassett, ran the show today. It was an absolutely standout performance.”

Elsewhere in Group B, the Netherlands beat Russia 2-1 to top the standings, while in Group A England thrashed South Africa 6-0 and France beat Scotland 2-0. New Zealand face Russia on Sunday morning before meeting the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Despite early New Zealand pressure, Canada drew first blood through Julien who netted through the legs of Jenny Bindon from the tightest of angles.

New Zealand’s reply came ten minute before halftime when fullback Ali Riley broke down the right flank before linking with Rosie White. The teenage striker then cut a precision pass into the path of Hassett who buried her shot from 12 yards out.

The Ferns created plenty of chances after halftime with White going one-on-one with the Canadian keeper Karina LeBlanc shortly after the hour mark, while substitutes Annalie Longo and Sarah McLaughlin each hit the cross bar shortly after entering the game.

Emma Kete almost found an injury-time winner but LeBlanc produced a sharp close-range save to protect Canada’s share of the points.

For Canada, Christine Sinclair fired over the bar from distance with just over ten minutes remaining but the prolific striker – who had scored five goals in her last four matches against the Ferns – was largely subdued by centre backs Rebecca Smith and Abby Erceg, along with defensive midfielder Hayley Moorwood.

The Football Ferns now turn their attention to Sunday morning’s clash with Russia where an upset win would keep alive New Zealand’s chances of making the March 12 final.

“It’s a tough turnaround so you’ve only got one day to prepare but we’ll review the footage of our match and go from there,” Herdman said.

“We’ve got some options now. The beauty is we can slip into 4-4-2 if we want to change things up, and move Riley into a more out-and-out winger, or we might persist with the diamond.

“We want to develop some tactical flexibility, and be able to slip in and out of different formations, ideally within games if necessary, to get the best out of certain players.

The Russian match also offers the chance of revenge for eight New Zealand players who lost 2-3 to Russia in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2006, and who will now line-up against many of the same opposing players when the senior sides clash.

Story and photo courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest news in NZ Football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz


2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup
Paralimni, Cyprus
Friday March 6

New Zealand 1 (Betsy Hassett 34) Canada 1 (Christina Julien 11)
Halftime: 1-1

New Zealand: Jenny BINDON (GK), Ali RILEY, Abby ERCEG, Rebecca SMITH, Anna GREEN (Marlies OOSTDAM 68), Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain / Katie HOYLE 79), Ria PERCIVAL (Annalie LONGO 70), Kirsty YALLOP, Betsy HASSETT, Amber HEARN (Sarah McLAUGHLIN 79), Rosie WHITE (Emma KETE 70)
Substitutes not used: Aroon CLANSEY (GK), Kristy HILL.
Head Coach: John Herdman

Results:
Group A:
England 6 South Africa 0
France 2 Scotland 0

Group B:
New Zealand 1 Canada 1
Netherlands 2 Russia 1

New Zealand Schedule:
March 7 – New Zealand v Russia
Nicosia (1.45am, Sun Mar 8, NZT)

March 10 – New Zealand v the Netherlands
Paralimni (1am, Wed Mar 11, NZT)

March 12 – Final or placing playoff, time and opposition tbd.

For tournament coverage visit:

www.cypruswomenscup.com 

AUCKLAND – The All Whites will begin their biggest season in 27 years with most of their big names on board, after Ricki Herbert named a strong 18-man squad for the March 28 friendly in Thailand.

New Zealand’s match against Thailand in Bangkok is the first outing in a busy season for the All Whites with the June’s FIFA Confederations Cup and a home-and-away World Cup playoff the obvious highlights.

New Zealand Football expecte to secure a second match in the region on April 1 to replace a friendly against Indonesia cancelled by the Indonesian FA for security reasons on Monday.

Wellington Phoenix pair Ben Sigmund and Leo Bertos are the most notable absentees as both recently underwent off-season surgery to respective hip and leg injuries.

Sigmund is almost certain to miss the Confederations Cup in June and Bertos is likely to face a 10-week recovery.

Head coach Ricki Herbert said the Thailand trip was a great way to begin the All Whites momentous year that ends with another trip to Asia as part of a World Cup playoff.

“It’ll be good to get 2009 underway. Thailand have recently drawn with Iran, so the game gives us a good cross section of where we need to be come October and November,” Herbert said.

“Whilst some of the squad are at the back-end of their season and have had a bit of a break it’ll be really good to get the squad together again.

“It’s good to have all the players on board and looking forward to a long a challenging 2009.”

Belgium-based utility Christian Bouckenooghe makes his first travelling squad since March 2007, while uncapped Waitakere United fullback Aaron Scott – an unused substitute when an under-strength New Zealand side lost to Fiji in November – is given another chance to impress.

“We’ve included Aaron Scott as someone we can have a little bit more of a look at, since we didn’t get to see him play in the Fiji encounter.

“We would’ve liked to seen Kris [Bouckenooghe] during World Cup qualifiers but from an injury point of view we weren’t able to do that, so it’ll be good to bring him back into the fold now before we make further decision leading into the bigger competitions.”

Blackburn’s Ryan Nelsen regains the captaincy – Ben Sigmund lead New Zealand against Fiji – and Tim Brown returns as vice-captain.

Glen Moss is free to play in the South East Asian friendlies, despite being sent off in New Zealand’s last international against Fiji.

As that game was a World Cup qualifier, the lengthy four-match ban imposed by FIFA will apply to World Cup matches only, ruling him out of the Asia-Oceania playoff in October and November, and the first two matches of either the 2010 FIFA World Cup or New Zealand’s 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Story and photo courtesy of NZF Media

For the full squad and fixture list schedule please visit www.nzfootball.co.nz