All Whites playing like a third world country

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson. Photo / AFP

New Zealand football is treated like a third world country and in response, we play like it.

Is there anybody out there? Yes folks, the Anthony Hudson-coached All Whites drew with mighty Myanmar in Yangon last night, so our national side hasn't won for two years. Even when the All Whites do win it's only against real third world football nations
No excuses for Hudson and co. but there is a bigger picture to consider.

We've never been a superpower, but there used to be a decent buzz in football here and the All Whites were capable of exceptional results, such as the thrashing of Mexico decades ago.

There was a vibrant national league, players who were household names, big clubs and All Stars teams would visit etc etc. We live in a very different world but someone with power needs to find a cure in a clever and inspirational way.

Where to turn? The national administration, which has embarrassed itself over the Olympic qualification fiasco, is a lame duck anyway in a football world driven by excessive money. We need help, FIFA.

Football is booming around the world, but it's a basket here. Australia's departure for the Asian zone has turned Oceania into a ghetto.

Gloomy would sum up the midnight Myanmar match, and win, lose or draw it was always going to be that way. Once again, a spot of good cheer - in this case the under-20s World Cup in New Zealand - is followed by another obscure All Whites match.

Disappointing draw for All Whites

Now and then there is a surprise, such as Auckland City's amazing world club effort. But those are situations to enjoy rather than rely on, whereas the All Whites should provide thrills and spills linked to every World Cup.

Actually playing in the World Cup finals isn't the key. Exciting qualifying campaigns are the answer. Under the current system, the All Whites initially play low key qualifiers before being hurled into tough, cut-throat contests that flash before the public's eyes and leave the national team viewed with disdain if viewed at all.

Football is booming around the world, but it's a basket here. Australia's departure for the Asian zone has turned Oceania into a ghetto.

Ryan Nelsen's World Cup All Whites had the New Zealand public hanging on to every desperate Mark Paston save in 2010, and it's been downhill ever since. Even the Phoenix, who promised so much at one point, have bombed in public interest.

FIFA needs to take responsibility for turning Oceania into loserville. My suggestion would be financial and political assistance to allow New Zealand to move lock stock and barrel into the Asian zone and thus create a series of meaningful, exciting qualifying games in every World Cup cycle.

This would turn the rest of the Oceania region into even more of a ghetto, but quite frankly who cares in the same way that nobody cared when Australia was allowed to leave. We aren't strong enough to prop anyone else up.

New Zealand has tremendous football potential but was shafted when Australia left Oceania. Get cracking FIFA.