Football: All Whites set sights on Korea

The All Whites see Asia as a key area to tune up their play. Photo / Getty

The All Whites look set to play a glamour friendly against leading Asian nation South Korea.

Final details are still to be confirmed but a match between New Zealand and South Korea could take place in the Fifa window in March.

It is likely to be staged in Korea, and follows matches against Japan, Uzbekistan, China and Thailand over the past 12 months.

It's part of a strategy by New Zealand Football, who have regularly signalled that they see Asia as a key area.

It's also due to the hope that the next World Cup qualifying path - to be confirmed later this year - will involve a final playoff against an Asian side, as happened in 2009 when the All Whites had home-and-away games against Bahrain.

If the Korea match is confirmed, it will be a coup for NZF and a big test for Anthony Hudson's side.

Over the past two decades, South Korea have been a dominant force in Asian football. They have qualified for the World Cup more times than any other Asian nation and made a memorable run to the semifinals on home soil in 2002.

The Reds have been ranked as high as 17th in the world and have players based across Europe.

They didn't enjoy a great World Cup in Brazil but have rebounded at the Asian Cup, beating hosts Australia to top their group. They will face Iraq in the semifinals tomorrow.

The All Whites first played South Korea in Seoul in 1976, going down 0-2. The teams have since met six more times, with New Zealand winning and drawing once.