Source: Radio New Zealand
All Whites players are replaced during their international match against Australia in Auckland. photosport
The All Whites have confirmed they’ll take a fly-in, fly-out approach to their three group games at the FIFA World Cup after landing in San Diego as an official team base.
Coach Darren Bazeley said they had got their first pick, having submitted five options to FIFA as their preferred base.
He said the southern California city suited them well, having chosen the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium as their training ground, as well as a team hotel close by.
San Diego’s Torero Stadium AFP
New Zealand’s opening match is against Iran in neighbouring Los Angeles on 16 June, with their opponents scheduled to be Iran. Although there is doubt over Iran’s participation following the conflict in the Middle East.
Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast, is a three-hour flight away for the team’s second and third group games – against Egypt on 22 June and Belgium on 27 June.
As with the majority of the 48 sides at the global showpiece, the team will be based in one city and then travel to the match location either one or two days before the games.
All Whites players warm up. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Some have selected uncommon places, such as college campuses and small cities with otherwise no ties to the five-week tournament.
Bazeley was pleased to have their logistics confirmed.
“Selecting our base camp is a really important part of our preparation for the tournament so we can make sure the team is in the best place possible on and off the pitch,” he said.
“San Diego offers a great combination of the criteria we were looking for, from a really high-quality training pitch at Torero Stadium, to an ideal hotel for the team.
“We look forward to working with the city over the next few months to really get to know the place and hope to have all 1.4 million San Diegans taking us on as their second team.”
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley Photosport
The All Whites are still to confirm a final warm-up match, having locked in a friendly against England in Florida on 7 June.
New Zealand will play matches against Finland and Chile in Auckland in late March as their final preparation ahead of leaving for the US.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
