Soccer: Phoenix change match date to avoid All Whites clashes

The A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets scheduled for March 23 at Westpac Stadium has been moved forward to Wednesday, February 27. Photo / Getty Images.

The A-League match between the Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets scheduled for March 23 at Westpac Stadium has been moved forward to Wednesday, February 27, at the same venue due to clashes with Fifa World Cup Oceania qualifiers.

The All Whites host New Caledonia and then travel to the Solomon Islands for the qualifiers on March 22 and 26 respectively, which has prompted the move by Football Federation Australia.

The venues for the qualifying matches have yet to be confirmed.

The Phoenix, already struggling this season, would have been severely disadvantaged if forced to play the Jets on the original date, as up to 10 of the club's players are expected to be available for All Whites' selection.