Soccer: NZ Football doing All Whites few favours

Winston Reid may not be seen in All Whites colours this month. Photo / NZPA

The All Whites could be without several top players - including Winston Reid, Tommy Smith, Michael McGlinchey and Kosta Barbarouses - for at least two of three build-up matches before next month's World Cup qualifying matches.

New Zealand Football finalised their plans for the October window last week, announcing games against Mexican and American club sides (Queretaro and Chivas USA), as well as a match with Trinidad and Tobago, but they may not have their top side available.

Their first scheduled game, originally against Mexican club Queretaro is on October 9, outside the official Fifa window (October 11-15), so clubs don't have to release their players. There is also no obligation to release players for a game against a club side; Fifa rules apply only to sanctioned international matches.

Only the goodwill of the New Zealanders' respective club sides will allow many to be present for all three matches. It's asking a lot. Players will fly to the US, play two games in four days, then make a return trip to Trinidad and Tobago for a third game before returning to their clubs.

The Phoenix look likely to release their national players, despite it causing a headache for the first two rounds of the A-League. They'll have a depleted squad for the first round against the Roar and their All Whites will only arrive in Sydney 24-36 hours before the round two match against Western Sydney Wanderers on October 20.

It is uncertain whether the Central Coast Mariners (McGlinchey) or the Melbourne Victory (Barbarouses) will agree, while the English and European clubs are likely to take some persuasion.

The planning and preparation building to November has left a lot to be desired.

NZF has known since July 2011 that it was likely they would face Concacaf opposition for the spot at the World Cup.

They've had 18 months to plan the build-up, as Fifa windows are locked in years in advance.

Given what is at stake, there was time to plan the best possible programme with no detail overlooked. That is where winning - and high performance - begins. Instead there has been a rushed, last-minute schedule thrown together, with players uncertain about what was happening until last week.

They are now expected to take on the might of Mexico (or Panama) with far from ideal preparation.

The OSN Cup in Saudi Arabia was a difficult assignment with trainings just after dawn and games late at night due to the heat. In between times players consigned to their hotel for security reasons.

International games are notoriously difficult to arrange but things needed to be locked in earlier, but NZF has seemed unwilling, or unable, to spend the money required. That reflects badly on the planning and leadership of chairman Frank Van Hattum and his board. Remember, NZF declared a surplus of $7.7 million after the 2010 calendar year and said there was a $2.5 million war chest for international football.

Now they are cutting corners ahead of the most significant week in four years.

It's a shame. With the likes of Marco Rojas and McGlinchey, the All Whites have a team with more attacking flair than the 2010 side, as well as the usual defensive solidity, albeit without Ryan Nelsen.