Football: Under-23s poised for Rio

Anthony Hudson. Photo / Photosport

The first chapter of Anthony Hudson's overhaul of New Zealand football could be completed today.

The New Zealand under-23 side are 90 minutes away from sealing entry to the 2016 Olympics, with only Fiji standing between their Rio dreams.

Qualification is an important milestone, for several reasons.

It guarantees (at least) three top quality matches at next year's Olympics, in big stadiums in front of big crowds. The Oly-Whites will also play several lead-in games against other competing nations, which would be vital experience.

And it will give Hudson several more weeks with the squad, many of whom are likely to be involved with the All Whites in the World Cup qualifiers from the second half of 2016.

New Zealand could potentially field a strong team in Rio. Winston Reid, Chris Wood and Michael McGlinchey could be the three over-age players allowed with Ryan Thomas, Tim Payne and Tyler Boyd supplementing the current team in Papua New Guinea. Bill Tuiloma, Deklan Wynne and Storm Roux are guaranteed to be part of the senior set-up, and the likes of Monty Patterson, Joel Stevens, Sam Burfoot and Louis Fenton are likely to be strong contenders for any All Whites squad.

It's an encouraging scenario, although the final hurdle needs to be overcome today.

They have coped well with an unfavourable schedule (New Zealand have played more games in the midday heat than any other nation), difficult conditions (their training sessions have been conducted on rock-hard, unforgiving pitches) and the restrictive environment that is Port Moresby. Hudson has adapted his tactics well to suit the opposition and New Zealand have yet to concede a goal in four games.

Fiji will be tough. Their team featured many players that turned heads at the Under-20 World Cup, when they banked a shock win over Honduras. Fiji progressed through the group phase unbeaten and were impressive in their 3-1 semifinal win over the host nation (the Oly-Whites beat PNG 1-0).

Today's match kicks off at 4.30pm (NZT) and is live streamed on Maori TV's website.