New Zealand Soccer [NZS] is reluctantly likely to turn down the chance to host Colombia in London next month because of the cost of underwriting the match.
The South Americans approached NZS last week after Australia pulled out of the friendly, to be played at Craven Cottage, because of the
recent sacking of Socceroos coach Frank Farina.
Australia were also unwilling to show their hand against a side they might face later this year in qualification for next year's World Cup.
NZS is caught between trying to provide more fixtures for the All Whites, especially considering two games against the Solomon Islands next month are yet to be confirmed because of an administrative upheaval there, and the heavy six-figure cost of staging the game in London.
"It's quite nice to be asked and of course we would love to be able to do it but it's a question of whether it's possible logistically, time-wise and cost-wise," NZS chief executive Graham Seatter said.
"You'd need a pretty big crowd, it's short notice and it'd be New Zealand's first home game and I think we'd probably want a bit more time to do it right, rather than run the risk of getting it badly wrong. I think we might struggle.
"It's something we will investigate this week and will see how desperate they are and, if they are prepared to make it work, then maybe it will. They might say, 'come to Colombia and we'll cover your costs'."
Seatter cautioned that the world's 25th-ranked nation - New Zealand is 106 - might be speaking to a handful of other countries to fill the vacancy in London but would investigate further this week.
He is also looking into the chance of playing India, who are being hosted by Fiji next month and will travel home through New Zealand, but said any game would not feature a full All Whites team because they would not fly any of their overseas-based players home for a match. It would be the same situation if games against the Solomon Islands were arranged.
Auckland City open the defence of their New Zealand Football Championship title against Waikato FC on October 22 and end their league campaign against last season's runner-up and local rivals Waitakere United on March 26.
A new finals format has been brought in for the second season of the revamped national league, with the top five of eight teams making the playoffs. The league winners will qualify automatically for the Oceania Club Championships, while the team which wins the playoff final will grab the second spot for the Oceania champs - as hosts, New Zealand has two places available.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
New Zealand Soccer [NZS] is reluctantly likely to turn down the chance to host Colombia in London next month because of the cost of underwriting the match.
The South Americans approached NZS last week after Australia pulled out of the friendly, to be played at Craven Cottage, because of the
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