Soccer: All Whites' World Cup plans hit a snag

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The All Whites' planned World Cup build-up is on hold.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said yesterday that vital lead-up matches were in jeopardy.

"Apparently Fifa have ruled that because Australia plan to use overseas-based players for their group matches, that tournament should be put back from the planned April dates until the normal European break in June," MacGowan said.

"That would mean we would not, as planned [if we won our group], be able to hold the Oceania play-off in Wellington on June 20.

"As I understand it, Soccer Australia have protested to Fifa, asking they be allowed to play in April - with a team who will include many home-based players - before going to the Confederations Cup in Korea/Japan in early June with their full-strength side. They would then fly to Wellington for the first leg of the play-offs."

New Zealand Soccer had already confirmed a warm-up match in Singapore on May 22 and were seeking a second match in Asia before the Auckland-based group, which includes the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu, kicked off in early June.

"If the Australians are delayed we will also be looking to put our group back because we want to dovetail the group matches into the play-offs," MacGowan said. "That could be a problem for our planned matches in Asia.

"We have already given up the chance to defend our Merdeka title in Malaysia because that clashes with our scheduled World Cup dates in early June."

Fifa will meet to discuss the issue.

Eastern Pride's already disastrous National Soccer League season has just got worse. The cellar dwellers have now been stripped of all points won in the first 22 rounds of the league.

A statement from Soccer Australia yesterday confirmed that the club, formerly Gippsland Falcons, had been penalised following their failure to pay outstanding NSL affiliation fees.

The club had been given a number of opportunities to make the payments, but had not done so.

They were apparently well aware of their obligations and consequences.

The Football Kingz remain in 11th place, but can improve two or three positions if they beat Marconi in Wellington on Friday night.

Oceania representatives Wollongong Wolves face a tough time at the world club championships in Spain.

The Australian champions have drawn Egyptian club Zamalek FC in group A on July 29, hosts Deportivo La Coruna on August 1 and Boca Juniors (Argentina) on August 4.

Even if they go no further than pool play, the Australians will collect more than $US1 million ($2.38 million).

Group B, in Madrid, features CD Olimpia (Honduras), Palmeiras (Brazil), Turkish champions Galatasaray and Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia).

The third group, based at another stadium in Madrid, comprises European champions Real Madrid, Jubilo Iwata (Japan), Ghana's Hearts of Oak and American club Los Angeles Galaxy, who include New Zealand midfielder Simon Elliott.

The three group winners and the best-performed runner-up qualify for the semifinals on August 9.

The final and third-place play-offs are in Madrid on August 12.

New Zealand's next bid for a place in a soccer world championship begins in Vanuatu next week.

The national under-17 side leave on Saturday for Oceania's group two tournament.

Following the withdrawal of the Cooks Islands, five teams will play the round-robin series, with the winner to meet Australia, who won group one in Samoa last December.

The Vanuatu-based tournament will be played away from the national stadium in Port Vila and, controversially, in the heat of the day, with matches scheduled for 1.45 pm and 3.45 pm.

The New Zealand team, captained by Daniel Mortensen and coached by Mick Waitt with national coach Ken Dugdale as his assistant, is:

Kaz Townsend (Eastern Suburbs), Tamati Williams (Metro), Daniel Mortensen (Fencibles), Thomas Sadd (Christchurch Rangers), Mark McGinley (University/Mt Wellington), Liam Smith (Petone), Wayne Rooker (Upper Hutt City), Mark Bland (New Plymouth BHS), Russell Kamo (Christchurch Rangers), Dalin Wilson (Manawatu AFC), Craig Wylie (Lynn Avon), Reece Thomas (Manawatu), Dane Rayner (Kapiti Hearts), Riley Webster (North Shore), Jason Rowley (Papakura City), Andrew Sayers (Christchurch), Matthew Adams (Napier CR).

New Zealand games: March 22: v Fiji; 24: v Tonga; 26: bye; 28: v Tahiti; 30: v Vanuatu.