Soccer: Japan doubtful but China still on

All Whites striker Shane Smeltz celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The All Whites upcoming tour of Asia will go ahead, despite the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on Friday night.

New Zealand Football confirmed the match against China on March 25 will go ahead but serious doubt exists about the friendly with Japan in Tokyo four days later.

NZF chairman Frank Van Hattum also admitted the likelihood of the proposed Fifa All Stars charity match in aid of the Christchurch earthquake has lessened, given that any benefit game would now likely focus on the disaster unfolding in Japan.

Van Hattum said they had already been in touch with their Japanese counterparts, but only to express their condolences.

"We obviously haven't raised the issue of the game with them yet," said van Hattum. "Just like in Christchurch, they need to attend to human matters first before any other issues like sport."

It's still possible the game could go ahead as planned in Japan, whether in the capital or another city, but NZF won't enforce their contract with Japan. A decision is likely to be made this week.

Another one will be made sooner on whether to send the New Zealand under-17 side to Japan. Steve Cain's side were due to play in the Sanix Cup against Japan and Thailand from March 19-23 but that is now also in doubt.

Most interest, however, will centre around the All Whites.

"Japan may well want to go ahead with the match but it is completely up to them," van Hattum said. "Sport will have a part to play in returning life and the situation to normal and we would be happy to play our part in that. Life eventually has to go on - like it will in Christchurch, like it did in Chile and Haiti.

"We don't have a plan B at this stage but would have to look at the options."

They would not include cancelling the tour. The logistical implications are huge, and it's important to keep the All Whites together and coach Ricki Herbert needs the chance to blood some of the youngsters he recently named in the extended squad.

China may countenance playing two games or they could take on a Chinese regional team. Another country in the region might be prepared to host a match but this is unlikely given the difficulties of arranging an international match at short notice.

The Australasian-based players are due to arrive in China on March 23.

The All Stars benefit game for Christchurch seems unlikely to go ahead - at least in its intended format - although Fifa could look to do something for both tragedies. It's more likely NZF will try to bring a genuine celebrity to these shores to raise money for Christchurch as well as keep football in the public consciousness.