New Zealand All Whites Michael McGlinchey. Photo / Brett Phibbs.
Three Wellington Phoenix players have struggled to recover from the All Whites' trip to Oman last week and coach Ernie Merrick has criticized New Zealand Football's low-rent travel plan for their slow recovery.
Merrick has spent the week preparing the Phoenix for two away games over the next five days
against West Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC but has been left frustrated by the decision to fly his players home on the 22-hour flight from Oman in economy class.
"It was a very good performance from the All Whites over in Oman and it was a good performance and a good win for a team away from home in that heat, but we were a little bit disappointed that all of our players flew back economy class whereas some players from other clubs flew back business class," Merrick said.
"That was a real surprise, especially someone like vice-captain Michael McGlinchey, who has played 30-odd times for the All Whites, because he has really suffered in training this week."
Merrick said the All Whites squad flew to Oman in business class but he was surprised to learn that some players received preference over others on the flight from Muscat to Auckland.
