By TERRY MADDAFORD
A standoff between New Zealand Soccer and its South African counterparts is delaying confirmation of the dates for the Olympic playoffs.
The South Africans have agreed that New Zealand should host the first match in the home-and-away qualifiers and have accepted April 28 as the date for the game in Auckland.
But problems have arisen over the return at a yet-to-be-determined venue in the Republic.
"We wanted to play there about a week later and had suggested May 6," said NZS chief executive Bill MacGowan. "They came back to us saying they could not agree with that as they have World Cup qualifying games and some outstanding domestic fixtures to be played.
"They suggested May 27 but we are not keen on that as it would mean we would have to assemble our players - and up to 10 from overseas could be involved - twice. That would be financially crippling."
Adding to the problem is the Fifa requirement that all Olympic qualifiers be played by May 15. The draw is to be made in Sydney on June 6.
On a brighter note, Fifa has agreed to contribute to New Zealand Soccer costs by covering the overseas costs for the national under-23 side. MacGowan estimates the two-match playoffs will costs about $220,000.
"Ken Dugdale has yet to settle on his squad but it is obvious we will have to bring a large number of players back from their overseas clubs," said MacGowan. "It would make much greater sense to play both games within as small a time frame as possible even if it meant delaying the first game here until closer to the date they have suggested for their home game.
"And we would need to get the okay from Fifa to go beyond their deadline."
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