Soccer: Auckland, Chch booked for All White qualifiers

Auckland's North Harbour Stadium and Christchurch's AMI Stadium will host the All Whites' first two home 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on September 11 and October 16 respectively. Photo / AP

Auckland's North Harbour Stadium and Christchurch's AMI Stadium will host the All Whites' first two home 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on September 11 and October 16 respectively.

The matches are part of the third stage of Oceania qualifying, of which the winner progresses to a home and away playoff against the fourth placed qualifier from the North and Central America region in November 2013 for a place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

North Harbour Stadium hosts New Zealand's second match of the stage against Solomon Islands on September 11 while the October 16 match against Oceania champions Tahiti at the new AMI Stadium will be the first All Whites match in the South island since a 1-0 win over Malaysia at QEII Park in February 2006.

The venue for New Zealand's third home qualifier on March 22, 2013 is yet to be decided.

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh said the strong influence of Canterbury players on past and present All Whites sides and the region's footballing tradition made it an easy decision to take a world cup qualifier to the Garden City.

"It's been a long time between drinks for All Whites fans down south and it's exciting to be able to bring the national team back to Christchurch given what the region has given to the All Whites.

"It's a strong footballing region and I'm sure they get out in numbers to help us get the points we need to get closer to a place in the intercontinental playoff."

"We have one venue yet to announce but that decision will be made in line with our desire to take games around the country where possible."

Tickets go on pre-sale from Thursday 16 August with tickets on general sale on Tuesday August 21, with general admission tickets priced from $20 for adults and $10 for children if pre-purchased.

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - Oceania Qualifiers Stage 3
New Zealand Schedule

New Caledonia v New Zealand
Noumea, New Caledonia
Friday 7 September, 2012

New Zealand v Solomon Islands
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Tuesday 11 September, 2012
Kickoff: 7:35pm
Live on Sky Sport
Tickets Prices - Adult/Children:
Covered reserved seating - $35/$15 pre-purchased ($45/$20 at the gate)
Uncovered reserved & GA open - $25/$10 pre-purchased ($35/$15 at the gate)
Tickets available from www.ticketek.co.nz and Ticketek outlets

Tahiti v New Zealand
Papeete, Tahiti
Friday 12 October, 2012

New Zealand v Tahiti
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Tuesday 16 October, 2012
Kickoff: 7:35pm
Live on Sky Sport
Tickets Prices - Adult/Children:
Uncovered GA seating (East/West stands) $20/$10 pre-purchased ($30/$15 at the gate)
Covered reserved seating (North/South stands) $30/$15 pre-purchased ($40/$20 at the gate)
Tickets available from www.ticketek.co.nz and Ticketek outlets

New Zealand v New Caledonia
Friday 22 March, 2012
Venue TBC
Solomon Islands v New Zealand
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tuesday 26 March