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New Zealand Soccer today confirmed the All Whites will play matches against Costa Rica and Venezuela in the build-up to their 2010 World Cup qualifying matches this year.
New Zealand, ranked 131st in the world, play the 68th-ranked Costa Ricans and 73rd-ranked Venezuela in late March.
Further details on these and other matches will be announced later this month, New Zealand Soccer told NZPA.
Costa Rica contested the 2006 World Cup, but coach Alexandre Guimaraes quit after their dismal performance.
The Central Americans suffered losses against Germany (2-4), Ecuador (0-3) and Poland (1-2).
It was Costa Rica's third appearance at a World Cup finals: they reached the second round in 1990 but also failed to get past the first round at the last tournament in 2002.
The All Whites March games fall within Fifa's international window, meaning New Zealand's overseas-based players will be available for selection.
The All Whites were hammered in last year's three-match European tour, with 17 players unavailable for either all or part of the trip.
Although the August tour started well with a 1-1 draw against English Premier League team Charlton Athletic, it concluded with heavy losses to Blackburn Rovers (5-0) and Uefa Cup holders Sevilla (5-1).
The All Whites were also without their overseas-based players in a two-match tour of Chile in April last year, returning with 4-1 and 1-0 losses.
- NZPA