All Whites: Stars help sluggish ticket sales

The arrival in the country of stars like Rory Fallon has piqued interest in the upcoming All Whites games. Photo / Brett Phibbs

While concerns remain about sluggish ticket sales for the All Whites' upcoming friendlies, interest has increased with the arrival of New Zealand's overseas-based stars.

New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading said as of yesterday, ticket sales were sitting around 13,000 for the Honduras game on Saturday in Auckland and 12,000 for the Paraguay game on Tuesday in Wellington.

Mr Glading expects around 15-20,000 fans to make their way to North Harbour stadium for Saturday's match.

"Traditionally football crowds have a big walk up," he said. "The weather forecast is good too."
"We're selling about 1,000 per day. It really picked up yesterday."
The arrival of the likes of captain Ryan Nelson, West Ham defender Winston Reid, Plymouth Argyle's Rory Fallon and Simon Elliott over the past couple of days had increased public interest in the games, Mr Glading said.

"Yesterday was the best day for sales since the tickets went on sale.

"It is certainly a big help having Ryan, Simon, Rory and the guys here talking to the media."

While Mr Glading is happy with the increased interest, he is still disappointed with ticket sales.

"It is getting better, but we'd rather be further down the track at this stage."

Mr Glading said it was "hard to tell" whether New Zealand Football had done enough to promote the game.

"It was always going to be difficult. The big stars don't get in the country until now."

He also said there was a perception with the New Zealand public that as "friendlies" the games do not matter.

"Maybe in hindsight that is something we'll have to address.

"It is certainly not something we gave enough consideration too."

Mr Glading said an "education process" might be needed, as friendlies are effectively football's equivalent to rugby's "tests", or perhaps - like Nelsen suggested last night - a trophy placed on the line.

"Maybe if we were playing Australia, South Africa or England - a traditional foe - it might be different, but against Honduras and Paraguay, who we don't have a sporting history with, maybe we should play for a trophy.

"It wouldn't have made a scrap of difference to the players," he said.

While the games are somewhat seen as a "thank you" to the support the team received during its unbeaten World Cup run, Mr Glading stresses the games do matter, as positive results will affect New Zealand's world rankings.

Following their successful World Cup, the All Whites have seen their ranking climb from 78 to 48.

"When we approach countries and say we are keen to play them, we get a better response," he said.

"They're more likely to want to play us if we're in the top 50 rather than around 80.

"It is important for us to continue the upward climb."

Much has been made of the few games the All Whites play each year and Mr Glading is keen to ensure the All Whites play competitive games all year round.

While no future games have been confirmed, by the end of the year he hoped to have "two or three locked in", including an away game against a "top team" in March.

Mr Glading also hopes the All Whites can play against the Australian Socceroos at least every second year. However, as Australia is in the Asian Confederation, they play more competitive games and have fewer free windows.

"We are keen to play Australia - Australia are more keen to play us.

"After the friendly in May - which we arguably should have won - Australia realise we are credible."