All Kiwi clash announced for September
New Zealand’s only professional football club will be squaring up to the National side in a highly anticipated game.
Ernie Merrick’s Wellington Phoenix will face the New Zealand in a pre-season friendly. The game will take place at the Rotorua International Stadium on September the 22nd.
Phoenix’s Glen Moss and other internationals will play for their country while the U20’s such as striker Louis Fenton and Tyler Boyd will stay with the club.
Speaking to Football Australia New Zealand’s Head Coach Ricki Herbert said: “Why wouldn’t you want to help each other?. .It is a crucial time for both of us and we have to get the players where they need to be physically.
Who knows, Ernie might find another player, and it will give me an opportunity to look at one or two outside the squad.”
Herbert, who as well as being the Kiwi’s Head Coach is Technical football advisor to Phoenix, so this match serves both his interests.
Phoenix may well be without their internationals come the first day of the season, as the weekend falls on a FIFA date.
Ernie Merrick sees this as a great opportunity to experiment. Speaking to Football Australia he said: “The more preparation we get the better, and so far as the Brisbane game goes it is a good opportunity to try a few things.