Soccer: All Whites looking to home

Ricki Herbert

Don't hold your breath, but the All Whites might play at home next year as New Zealand Soccer bosses plan an ambitious programme aimed at a shot of World Cup glory in 2010.

A one-off May fixture in Auckland against European champions Greece is at the top of the wish list.

The Greeks, according to a Sydney report, will face the Socceroos in Australia on May 25. The hope is they stop here four days earlier.

"That is only a small part of what we have planned for 2006," said NZS chief executive Graham Seatter.

"We accept there is a huge call by the public to have the All Whites play here but we have to be realistic.

"It will cost $500,000 to assemble a team for that match should it come off. That is not something we can afford to repeat too often."

But there are plans for up to 10 matches overseas during the year.

Coach Ricki Herbert is awaiting confirmation of an A international against an Asian country in February.

Once that is confirmed - and the match is scheduled during a Fifa window to allow for full-strength teams - other games, including a couple against Japanese J-League clubs and possibly their national under-21 side, should fall into place.

"Once we have the go-ahead, I intend to name a pool of around 30 players, some of whom will prepare for those games with others part of our long-term planning through to the 2009 Confederations Cup and beyond that the next World Cup," said Herbert.

"We have already undertaken an identification programme at NZFC matches and have already seen half a dozen players who will come into this group.

"Canterbury's Andrew Barron is one who we have already talked about. Others, like Raf de Gregorio and Andrew Boyens, are being seen."

Herbert admits the Confederations Cup - to be played in South Africa a year out from the 2010 World Cup in that country - is the key.

"Qualifying for the Confederations Cup is vital both from a funding and playing point of view," said Herbert. "It is one of the Fifa tournaments at which the Oceania winner is guaranteed direct entry. It is imperative we give ourselves the best possible chance of being there."

The Oceania representative will be found after a six-team, round-robin (home and away) series involving New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tahiti and the winner of a play-off among the remaining island nations.

That series - which replaces the old Oceania Nations Cup tournament - is scheduled to start in September 2007 and end by April 2009 with the winner headed to the Confederations Cup in June-July.

New Zealand Soccer will receive $500,000 from Oceania. This will be used to fund the international programme which also includes plans to base the All Whites (around 22 players) in Europe - possibly France or Germany - in May-June.

"We could have up to four games including the likelihood of playing a World Cup-bound team or teams . . ," said Seatter. "Until I have the contract[s] in my hand, nothing is definite but the indications are very strong."

The national side is scheduled to return to Europe in July-August and be based in England to play two or three matches against Premier League sides - games against Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace have been confirmed - or Championship clubs.

"We will also be looking for an A international," said Seatter.