Soccer: Rule change opens NZ door for Fallon

A change in Fifa rules has opened the door for Rory Fallon to play for the All Whites - perhaps as early as next month.

In the past players who have played for another country - at any age - have been ineligible to play for a second country even if it is their country of birth.

Fallon, who went to England as a teenager, played for England at under-17, under-18 and under-20 level but not again.

In now becoming eligible for New Zealand, Fallon has recently been contacted by All Whites coach Ricki Herbert who is expected to next week name an 18-man squad to play Jordan away on September 9.

It will be the only chance for Herbert and his assistant Brian Turner to see Fallon in action before they name their team to play the all-important World Cup qualifiers against either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia in October and November.

"Rory is keen if he is asked," said his father Kevin yesterday. "He was quite excited about the prospect. Should he be given the chance it would be a nice fillip for him.

"He was proud to play for England at age-group level but is realistic enough to know you are never going to play at senior level unless you are at one of the big clubs in the premiership."

Fallon, now with Championship club Plymouth Argyle, has played in their four pre-season matches, scoring in three. "Ricki seems very keen and as I pointed out to Rory, it could be a pivotal move in his career. In reality, the All Whites are only 180 minutes away from the World Cup - what player would not want to grab that opportunity."

Recalled defender Ivan Vicelich, who played in the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa, has confirmed his on-going availability for remaining internationals this year.

Michael McGlinchey, formerly at Celtic but now with Central Coast Mariners, has, like Fallon, been thrown a lifeline after playing for Scotland and is also in Herbert's sights.

A planned match against Iraq on September 5 in Jordan has been cancelled. Iraq are insisting the game be played in Iraq but New Zealand Football have steadfastly refused.

They are now seeking a second match elsewhere in the Middle East.