Soccer: Trans-Tasman soccer 'friendly' possible

Australia and New Zealand played last year ahead of the World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Negotiations have started to stage a soccer friendly between the All Whites and Socceroos at Adelaide during world governing body Fifa's international window in June.

The fixture is some way short of being confirmed although it is possible the trans-Tasman rivals will meet for the second time in two years, a short turnaround considering their historically intermittent rivalry.

Until the teams met in Melbourne last May for a pre-World Cup farewell they not played since a friendly in London in 2005.

Before the Melbourne encounter, won 2-1 by the Socceroos, New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen expressed a desire to play their neighbours on a more regular basis.

Although the All Whites are not regarded as a premier opponent, Football Federation Australia (FFA) has started talks with its New Zealand counterpart because it seems likely Chile are on the verge on pulling out of an agreement to play the Socceroos in June.

Serbia might also fail to front for a second match that month in Melbourne, leaving FFA anxious to organise alternative opposition.

A New Zealand Football (NZF) spokesman told NZPA a trans-Tasman match had been broached although it was some way from confirmation.

The All Whites were not scheduled to play in June - a reflection of the heavy workload many players have had given their exertions in back-to-back A-League campaigns and last year's World Cup in South Africa.

But with last month's friendly in Japan cancelled after that country was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami - and the All Whites' World Cup qualifiers set down for September-November now deferred to early 2012 - NZF is also keen to give its flagship side exposure before the end of the year.

"We've had some initial discussions with Australia and we're looking at other people as well," the spokesman said.

"Those World Cup qualifiers have dropped out so we need to fill that gap in the calendar."

FFA is also sounding out Scotland and Wales but both are expected to make strong financial demands to make the trip to Australia.

South Korea and the Czech Republic have also been canvassed.

"We're not writing anyone off," an FFA spokesperson said.

"We're close to finalising the internationals and we're still in discussions. New Zealand is always a worthy opponent."

Since emerging from the World Cup as the only unbeaten side the All Whites have drawn 1-1 with Honduras, lost 0-2 to Paraguay last October and drew 1-1 with China last month.

- NZPA