International Results Don't Bear Scrutiny

Soccertalk - September 07
By Andrew Dewhurst

It is disappointing at a time of such optimism surrounding the Phoenix and the promise of better things in the Hyundai A-League (I write this 3 days before their opening match) that other areas of the game here seem to be in such disarray.

But if the game is to improve and live up to the promise so often talked about of the sport with the highest participation numbers for children under the age of 17, then face facts is what we must do and address some serious issues in the game.

The past few years has seen a great deal of investment made in the international game, some would suggest at the expense of other football product but no one can argue this has clearly been the number one priority for the national body. This has been stated often and without prejudice, in particular with regards the women’s game. 

That investment has been made with much fanfare and affection for cameras, microphones and anyone prepared to listen to the importance of international football for the overall good of the game here. Exposure will lead to improved playing standards, increased revenue and an overall improvement in the health of the game etc etc etc.

Well, frankly I am struggling to see the benefits or indeed the end result of all the money, time and personnel.

I don’t understand enough about accounting to make informed comment about the financial state of the game as a result of this international focus, but what I do know is this.

The Chatham Cup has lost its naming rights sponsor. The NZFC has lost its naming rights sponsor (and that was a charitable trust to begin with). There have been no new commercial partners of any significance attracted to the game in the past three years. New Zealand Football appears more than ever to be reliant on grant funding from the likes of FIFA, Sparc and Oceania.

But for now let’s park this and concentrate on the end result of the aforementioned heavy investment in the international game.

Our much anticipated ‘free pass’ into FIFA World Cup tournaments is well and truly underway and under scrutiny from the powerbrokers in the game. Safe in the knowledge that all New Zealand teams that laced up boots would qualify for their respective finals, most if not all teams have either been given or promised great support and resource in preparing for their moment in the sun.

Recent results have seen our U20 side struggle to qualify from Oceania and then perform below expectation at the recent World Cup, a spirited fight back against a second string Mexican team about the only highlight. The catch cry has been not to go simply to ‘compete’ and keep the score down, results being the order of the day. Cold hard fact is once again we didn’t get any.

Our U17 side likewise while not troubled on the points table were pushed in qualifying by Fiji and Tahiti in qualifying for the World Cup in Korea. To say this tournament has been a disaster is in danger of understating the situation. All the more disastrous when you consider FIFA has gone on record as saying they are watching Oceania representatives (NZ) with some vigilance to ensure their standards are worthy of direct qualification to such events.

Yes I know the Brazilians were superb in defeating us 7-0 but the New Zealand performance lacked in energy, pace and physical presence, let alone skill and tactical application. We were boys against men and it was embarrassing.

To then lose 5-0 against England rubbed salt into the wound. Forget any talk of an improved second half showing, England were cruising at 4-0 inside half an hour and again, our boys looked like possums in the middle of a very wide road. The 1-0 loss against North Korea was too little too late and won’t have rubbed the earlier results from the memories of Mr Blatter and friends.

And the much vaunted investment in our women has paid off only in the success of our U20 side at the World Cup in Russia. A draw against Brazil and a 3-2 loss against host nation Russia were obvious bright spots on an otherwise gloomy horizon. This team did achieve the much sought holy grail of ‘results at a FIFA tournament’ and should be applauded for doing so.

That success has not transpired to the senior women’s team though with a run of heavy losses in which they have quite frankly been embarrassed, such is the gulf in class between them and their opposition. 2007 has seen Canada (9^th FIFA rankings) score eight goals in two matches, Australia (15^th) 11 in four matches and the most recent ‘friendly’ saw the USA (1^st) score 6 in a match that saw them pepper Rachel Howard in the New Zealand goal (or her immediate vicinity) in excess of 30 times. The only goal in matches against any opposition of substance came against the Americans from the penalty spot.

Just how we will fare at the World Cup in foreign conditions against Denmark (6^th), Brazil (8^th) and China (11^th) when the games actually count for something is anyone’s guess. We can only hope that recent performances will spur the team to massive improvement.

And the All Whites have never been more active, playing eleven internationals in the past couple of years (not including losses against club teams). So much of this is of course to build a solid foundation for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, giving our coaches and players time together to better understand systems and each other before we set out on the road to South Africa.

But again, what has that achieved other than time together minus the likes of Ryan Nelsen, Simon Elliott, Chris Killen and Ivan Vicelich on too many occasions. A FIFA ranking of 149 (I’m not sure it has ever been lower), on the back of heavy losses against Brazil (4-0), Costa Rica (4-0) and Venezuela (5-0).

The draw with Wales that followed went some way to redressing the balance but overall this is hardly a sequence of scores to inspire players, sponsors or the media, let alone the fans back home. The 2006 win over Georgia and the draw with Estonia seem a long time ago.

Add to that Ryan Nelsen has hardly kicked a ball for New Zealand and Danny Hay, Che Bunce, Noah Hickey and Vaughan Coveny have all retired on the eve of the all important campaign for South Africa.

As I say, I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news but how can anyone read the above and not be concerned. Surely even the most optimistic of football fans cannot be unmoved by the statistics alone.

Go the Phoenix I say.