Soccer: All Whites match in Japan unlikely

All Whites striker Shane Smeltz celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The New Zealand soccer team's international friendly with Japan, scheduled to be played at Tokyo on March 29, is unlikely to go ahead in the wake of yesterday's deadly 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami off Japan.

The All Whites were to play the newly crowned Asian champions at the National Stadium, four days after a match against China in Wuhan.

But New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum today said they were already looking into other options, including a second match against China.

"We are in China and I'm sure (coach) Ricki Herbert and the boys would appreciate that opportunity to have a little bit of extra time together," he told Radio New Zealand today.

"Whether China can fit in another one we don't know yet. We haven't looked at any of that."

The New Zealand under-17 men's side were to leave for Japan on Tuesday for an international tournament but that also appears unlikely to go ahead.

- NZPA