Soccer: Doubts over Indian tourney

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The rumoured cancellation of the 16-team international soccer tournament in India next month could deal a body blow to the All Whites' World Cup preparations.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan sent a fax to the Indian Football Federation yesterday giving them until 5 pm on Monday to forward the formal contract, and tournament and travel details.

"If we haven't received the information we need - and we have heard talk that the tournament is likely to be canned - then we are likely to withdraw," MacGowan said. "That would be a real shame because we saw this as an ideal build-up for our World Cup qualifiers later in the year. We are desperate to go, given the quality of the opposition."

It is understood it would have been a no-cost venture, with the added incentive of good prizemoney.

MacGowan said Jamaica had already withdrawn.

"We are also attempting to make contact with New Zealand's High Commissioner in Delhi because he was to have attended a media function at which details of the tournament were given," he said.

"As we understand it, the draw was scheduled to be made today, but as yet we haven't heard anything."

All Whites coach Ken Dugdale is expected to name his squad next week.