Soccer: NZ gets its way on Olympic qualifiers

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand Soccer has won the first battle in its Sydney 2000 Olympic bid.

Its South African counterparts have agreed to the first of the home-and-away qualifiers being played in New Zealand, thus ensuring the best possible crowd.

"They are relaxed about it," said NZS chief executive Bill MacGowan yesterday. "They know no matter what the result here they will still have sellout for the return.

"They understood our position and agreed to our request to host the first game."

Soccer is the biggest spectator sport in South Africa, attracting far greater interest than rugby.

The first match will be played in Auckland on May 19. The return will follow eight days later at the Vosloorus Stadium in Johannesburg.

The battle now is between North Harbour Stadium and Ericsson Stadium for the right to host the home game.

"Both stadiums are under consideration," said MacGowan. "New Zealand Soccer is still in serious negotiations with the operators and suppliers at North Harbour Stadium. The outcome of those negotiations will determine where the match will be played."

MacGowan said both countries were confident Fifa would agree to the dates even though they are outside the May 15 deadline for completing all Olympic playoffs.

It is expected Ken Dugdale and co-coaches Ronnie Armstrong and Ricki Herbert will name 18 players for each game but not necessarily the same for both. The players will be in camp by about May 12.

In the meantime, the war between the two stadiums over the right to host future Football Kingz matches continues.

North Harbour Stadium management yesterday urged people to get out and support the Kingz in their remaining three home NSL matches.

General manager Graeme Running called on fans, especially those from North Harbour, to turn out for the scheduled April 19, 22 and 29 matches.