Soccer's problems cry out for attention

The hype surrounding today's announcement of the squad to represent New Zealand on soccer's biggest stage should not obscure other pressing issues needing attention.

Waitakere United's failure to win through to Fifa's Club World Cup is a blow that could have far-reaching repercussions.

Within minutes of Hekari United's win over Waitakere in the second leg of the O-League final, New Zealand Football's competitions manager Glyn Taylor indicated that the budget for next season's New Zealand Football Championship would be trimmed.

Why? Surely the loss of the revenue from the CWC should be the incentive for the national body to pour more money into the NZFC, not the reverse.

Hekari's victory again spells out the reality that on any given day island teams can win. Nothing, including New Zealand's two-team participation in the O-League, should be taken for granted.

The NZFC has to remain the initial stepping stone between domestic and international football and everything possible to close that gap must be done.

The first step to get more players competing regularly at a much higher level is ensuring the best local talent is playing in the NZFC. That must be an attractive option and be seen as a stepping stone to at least the A-League.

But a 14-round competition is never going to give prospective international players anywhere enough soccer.

Suggestions that a national under-20 team coached by Chris Milicich should be included has strong support from incumbent clubs and the All Whites coaching staff but not, it seems, from the national body, who say they can't afford it. They should find the money - and they are not exactly short - to ensure the next wave of internationals get some half-decent football and the chance to be seen.

Even more important, NZF should be thrusting likely 2012 Olympians into the limelight. As a team in the NZFC?

Suggestions from CEO Michael Glading that the All Whites might be mothballed for a couple of years after the World Cup are nonsense.

Only by playing regularly at the highest level can the top players get the international experience and exposure they need.