By TERRY MADDAFORD
Top club sides rather than international opposition are set to provide the All Whites with their preparation for July's Oceania Nations Cup.
NZ Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan confirmed yesterday that a number of options were being considered for the national side.
"We are continuing negotiations with the Chinese, who have offered us three matches against C-League teams. The other options are a home match against Chilean side Colo Colo and two matches, also at home, against a Scottish premier league side."
MacGowan said there was a determination to give new All Whites coach Mick Waitt and the squad every chance to prepare properly.
"Should we play the Scottish side, the matches will probably be played on June 27 and 30 in Auckland and either Hamilton or Wellington. Kick-off times will not clash with World Cup games, including the final."
The winner of the Nations Cup - to be contested by the Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand in one group, and Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia in the other - will represent Oceania at next year's Confederations Cup.
The venue for that eight-team contest is likely to be decided this month, with Australia, South Africa and Italy understood to have bid for hosting rights.
The national association's board has already agreed that, should the All Whites win through to the Confederations Cup, a "fair percentage" of prizemoney - each team are guaranteed a minimum US$1 million - will be shared by the players.
"We are determined to have the best possible team at the Nations Cup," MacGowan said. "The uncertainty in Australia over player availability can only be to our advantage."
Waitt's preference is to take his players to China and work in a training camp environment. "Apart from those in the US, we should have all our players available, and then be at full strength for the Nations Cup."
The cup will be played at Ericsson Stadium and North Harbour Stadium from July 5 to 14.
Soccer: All Whites focus on Nations Cup
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