Goalkeeper Richard Gillespie, in green, of New Zealand's Waitakere United tries to save a goal scored by Daniel Mullen, unseen, of Australia's Adelaide United FC during their opening match at the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Tokyo Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. Adelaide United FC won the match, 2-1. AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama
Although it goes against our countries sporting ethos, we should all be cheering for the All Whites as they prepare for battle in the Confederations Cup starting tonight. After all, they are taking over the mantle we once held as the underdogs from Oceania. They are also flying the A-League flag on the world stage.
While some dismiss the Confederations Cup as FIFA and Sepp Blatter tokenism, it is an important tournament for countries such as New Zealand, Iraq and Egypt, especially the All Whites.
With few truly competitive matches in what is, let’s face it, the backwater of Oceania, the All Whites need such tournaments to strengthen their squad, vital preparation for their upcoming World Cup qualifier against the best of the rest from Asia, either Bahrain, Saudi Arabia or Iran, later this year.
It is a story familiar to Australian fans.
With the Socceroos successfully assimilated into Asia, it is easy to forget about our former home in Oceania.
Now left alone in Oceania, New Zealand finds itself in a difficult quagmire.
While some Kiwi officials wish to see the All Whites follow Australia’s path into Asia, there are some obvious benefits of being the big fish in a small pond in Oceania with qualification for tournaments such as the Confederations Cup and the Club World Cup all but assured.
In addition, once they have overcome their Oceania opponents, they are only ever two games away from a World Cup.
But as we know all too well, a national side can only hope to develop with regular and competitive fixtures, the most obvious benefit of assimilation into Asia.
The Confederations Cup is an all too infrequent opportunity for the All Whites to come together against challenging opposition.
Politically, without Australia, there is not the weight to force FIFA into coming up with some solution to Oceania, and despite the much-discussed integration into the AFC, Oceania seems very much forgotten.
However, we have a stake in the All Whites, as we are the custodians of the cream of New Zealand’s football talent being the closest professional league for them.
Of the starting 11 who played against Italy in a pre tournament friendly, seven ply their trade in the A-League.
While many of them come from the Wellington Phoenix, amazingly the most represented club side at the tournament with more players in South Africa than the likes of Liverpool, AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus, an increasing amount of Kiwi’s are spreading themselves around the A-League.
With leading goal scorer from last season Shane Smeltz leading the charge, the All Whites will be representing the A-League on the international stage and for that we should all be hoping they serve the league and their country well.
Ricki Herbert’s men face Spain first up, the team many consider the most complete in the world and favourites for the tournament.
While few expect the All Whites to make a peep at the tournament, especially against Spain, their performance against Italy, leading three times but eventually going down 4-3, was a spirited one and highlighted the combined attacking threat of Smeltz and Chris Killen.
Beyond Spain, the clashes against Iraq and South Africa will prove the best barometer to how the All Whites chances of World Cup qualification look come the end of this year.
As they compete on the international stage in a role we once filled, cheer for the underdog even though they are from New Zealand for they are representing Australia too.
They just may be back in South Africa in a year’s time.
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June 14th 2009 @ 8:42pm
tifosi said | June 14th 2009 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
true tah,
I like your suggestion about the salary cap being excluded for islanders. Like you said it probably wouldnt work across confederations.
I think that would be a great idea for including the local aboriginal population as well. It would encourage clubs to develop and field aboriginal youngsters.
June 14th 2009 @ 9:38pm
Macs.football said | June 14th 2009 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
Back the bid! http://www.australia2018-2022.com.au/
June 14th 2009 @ 9:52pm
Midfielder said | June 14th 2009 @ 9:52pm | Report comment
Macs.football
Agree back the bid
June 14th 2009 @ 11:02pm
Roy H Driver said | June 14th 2009 @ 11:02pm | Report comment
Just to point out a fact. Check out the most viewed NZ soccer site Yellowfever and there in no mention at all about a Australian world cup bid. I even check the forums and found nothing. Really goes to show dont it!.
June 14th 2009 @ 11:14pm
David V. said | June 14th 2009 @ 11:14pm | Report comment
True Tah,
the player base in China is actually low relative to the population from what I understand. Chinese football has been in dire straits for the last 5 years and while the Chinese government represses all dissent and sedition, it gives an open outlet to fans publicly bashing the (men’s) national team.
June 15th 2009 @ 8:37am
Towser said | June 15th 2009 @ 8:37am | Report comment
After last nights 5-0 stroll by Spain they need help from somewhere.,but I dont think its our personal obligation to do so.Thats what FIFA is for.
June 15th 2009 @ 8:50am
tifosi said | June 15th 2009 @ 8:50am | Report comment
They were slaughtered this morning and if spain really wanted to they could have won 10 nil.
Lets see how they do in the next two games but needless to say FIFA are going to have to do something about whether or not Oceania should have a place in such tournaments.
Spain were beautiful to watch though.
June 15th 2009 @ 9:01am
Hemjay said | June 15th 2009 @ 9:01am | Report comment
NZ deserve to be in Asia as much as Australia does and get regular competition from more skilled opposition,
Its luldicrous that Australia is included when they are about as Asian as Antarctica. The funniest thing of all this Papua New Guinea is closer to asia than Australia yet they are part of Oceania. Go figure
June 15th 2009 @ 9:08am
Towser said | June 15th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
Hemjay
The Japanese are Asian so are the Saudis & Uzbekistan etc etc,Asia covers many diverse races & cultures so I dont see Australia as out of place in this mix. But neither should Oceania & therefore NZ be out of the loop. The finger pointing as far as NZ goes should be directly aimed at FIFA,Australia did what they thought best for themselves to advance football in this country. NZ & Oceania should do the same.
June 15th 2009 @ 9:24am
Hemjay said | June 15th 2009 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Towser,
In no way do I blame Australia for being in Asia, what I am trying to allude to which you also have is that NZ and Oceania also should be included and have just as much right.
My reference to Australia being in Asia isn’t based on race but geography. However if it was I think Fiji of all countries statistically would have the highest Asian population in all of Oceania including Australia.
I would suggest that the Oceanic teams play a tournament and the top two or three teams then qualify to play in the Asian con federation. As is the pacific countries qualify for Oceania confederation through the pacifc games and the Oceania conference is only 4 nations strong with NZ being direct qualifiers