1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,867 Speaker 1: from Newstalks, EDB of. 3 00:00:12,987 --> 00:00:17,027 Speaker 2: Turner and herberts Off, Nilson and Facilits of Reed and 4 00:00:17,107 --> 00:00:21,707 Speaker 2: Smelt Spain in nineteen eighty ZWO South Africa twenty ten 5 00:00:21,867 --> 00:00:27,067 Speaker 2: and now the United States, Canada and Mexico twenty twenty six. 6 00:00:27,227 --> 00:00:30,147 Speaker 3: Yes, the All Whites securing their passage to the FIFA 7 00:00:30,187 --> 00:00:33,667 Speaker 3: World Cup next year beating New Caledonia three nil in 8 00:00:33,707 --> 00:00:37,467 Speaker 3: the Oceania qualifying final at Eden Park on Monday night. 9 00:00:37,987 --> 00:00:40,947 Speaker 3: Eventually that was it was nil all after an hour, 10 00:00:41,427 --> 00:00:44,147 Speaker 3: but I think eventually got the job done. I think 11 00:00:44,147 --> 00:00:46,507 Speaker 3: we all thought that they would and so it proved 12 00:00:46,507 --> 00:00:49,387 Speaker 3: to be. But how now can the side be given 13 00:00:49,427 --> 00:00:54,587 Speaker 3: the best preparation to succeed in North America next June. 14 00:00:54,747 --> 00:00:57,627 Speaker 3: New Zealand football CEO Andrew Pragnell is with us to 15 00:00:57,627 --> 00:01:00,907 Speaker 3: answer that question. Actually, before we do, Andrew, will you 16 00:01:00,987 --> 00:01:03,907 Speaker 3: at all nervous as it was playing out on Monday 17 00:01:04,027 --> 00:01:06,467 Speaker 3: night when it was goals for the best part out 18 00:01:06,507 --> 00:01:06,907 Speaker 3: of an hour. 19 00:01:07,547 --> 00:01:10,147 Speaker 4: Yeah, okay, it's wearing one of the footbits on my 20 00:01:10,187 --> 00:01:12,947 Speaker 4: wrist and the heart rate was going at about the 21 00:01:12,947 --> 00:01:15,187 Speaker 4: same as a decent spot sort of run. 22 00:01:15,307 --> 00:01:17,707 Speaker 5: So yeah, that's the next few minutes. 23 00:01:17,747 --> 00:01:20,987 Speaker 4: We're pretty tense, you know, we all know football is 24 00:01:20,987 --> 00:01:23,387 Speaker 4: a game of type margins and anything can happen, so 25 00:01:24,027 --> 00:01:25,707 Speaker 4: but great to see the boys get the job done. 26 00:01:25,787 --> 00:01:26,667 Speaker 6: Absolutely well. 27 00:01:26,987 --> 00:01:29,667 Speaker 3: If we look ahead now, there are five fee for 28 00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:32,307 Speaker 3: windows between now and the World Cup in the middle 29 00:01:32,347 --> 00:01:34,347 Speaker 3: of next year. How keen are you to have the 30 00:01:34,347 --> 00:01:38,027 Speaker 3: All Whites play in most or all of those windows. 31 00:01:38,427 --> 00:01:41,427 Speaker 4: Yeah, we'll definitely be playing in every single one without 32 00:01:41,427 --> 00:01:44,827 Speaker 4: a doubt. And qualifying early gives us more opportunity too, 33 00:01:44,987 --> 00:01:49,027 Speaker 4: so there will be those who are beginning to qualify 34 00:01:49,107 --> 00:01:52,667 Speaker 4: as obviously the hosts, so yeah, absolutely, and we're looking 35 00:01:52,667 --> 00:01:55,587 Speaker 4: for you know, obviously a ranger styles, we're looking for 36 00:01:56,227 --> 00:01:59,627 Speaker 4: a range of locations or definitely targeting the North America 37 00:01:59,667 --> 00:02:03,347 Speaker 4: in the area in which we've qualified into. And obviously 38 00:02:03,387 --> 00:02:05,627 Speaker 4: we're looking at high quality opposition. We are our team 39 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:07,827 Speaker 4: is much better than with their current ranking and they 40 00:02:07,867 --> 00:02:09,187 Speaker 4: can do things at this World Cup. 41 00:02:09,787 --> 00:02:11,867 Speaker 3: Do you think the All Whites will be an attractive 42 00:02:11,907 --> 00:02:13,867 Speaker 3: proposition for potential opponents? 43 00:02:14,787 --> 00:02:16,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think we've shown in the last couple of 44 00:02:16,667 --> 00:02:17,907 Speaker 4: years as we've begun to play. 45 00:02:18,947 --> 00:02:19,347 Speaker 5: You know it's a. 46 00:02:19,347 --> 00:02:25,547 Speaker 4: Nazia's, Egypt's guitars, US Mexicos, that we are an appealing team. 47 00:02:25,747 --> 00:02:28,187 Speaker 4: We're you know, we're one thing about Kiwi's and the 48 00:02:28,267 --> 00:02:31,987 Speaker 4: supplies beyond the football spaces were used to traveling and 49 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:34,827 Speaker 4: going on the road, and we're willing to move, so 50 00:02:34,907 --> 00:02:38,667 Speaker 4: we're adaptable and flexible. But also people know that we've 51 00:02:38,667 --> 00:02:40,827 Speaker 4: got four players on the Premier League clubs. They know 52 00:02:40,867 --> 00:02:43,107 Speaker 4: we've got one of the best strikers in the world, 53 00:02:44,067 --> 00:02:46,747 Speaker 4: and and we've shown it, I think in the type 54 00:02:46,747 --> 00:02:50,027 Speaker 4: of opposition we've got, so I expect you it'll be 55 00:02:50,067 --> 00:02:52,947 Speaker 4: predominantly top fifty opposition. But also looking at styles, I mean, 56 00:02:53,387 --> 00:02:57,787 Speaker 4: the draw is in December this year, and so the 57 00:02:57,907 --> 00:02:59,667 Speaker 4: US standards set of procedure for the drawers. 58 00:02:59,667 --> 00:03:03,307 Speaker 5: Everyone has their phones at hand and you're. 59 00:03:03,427 --> 00:03:06,627 Speaker 4: Generally looking to play light for like opposition depending on 60 00:03:06,827 --> 00:03:07,787 Speaker 4: what you get out of the drawer. 61 00:03:07,867 --> 00:03:08,707 Speaker 5: So that'll be interesting. 62 00:03:08,747 --> 00:03:12,147 Speaker 3: Also, of course, the majority of the windows fall before 63 00:03:12,187 --> 00:03:13,947 Speaker 3: the draw, don't they, So I guess you can't really 64 00:03:13,947 --> 00:03:16,107 Speaker 3: take that into account for the windows this year. 65 00:03:16,387 --> 00:03:19,067 Speaker 6: But how does it all work, Andrew? 66 00:03:19,107 --> 00:03:20,747 Speaker 3: I mean, you don't just pick up the phone to 67 00:03:20,827 --> 00:03:24,827 Speaker 3: the CEO of another football you know, federation and say hey, 68 00:03:24,867 --> 00:03:25,787 Speaker 3: do you fancy your game? 69 00:03:26,107 --> 00:03:27,587 Speaker 6: How does it all work logistically? 70 00:03:28,467 --> 00:03:29,867 Speaker 5: It is a real mixed approach. 71 00:03:29,907 --> 00:03:32,867 Speaker 4: We've got believe it or not, sometimes that does happen. 72 00:03:32,947 --> 00:03:36,867 Speaker 4: So there's there is a CEO to ceo and some 73 00:03:36,947 --> 00:03:39,427 Speaker 4: of our match fixtures are arranged from letters direct from 74 00:03:39,907 --> 00:03:42,067 Speaker 4: the as the General Secretary as they call them to 75 00:03:42,107 --> 00:03:42,987 Speaker 4: the General Secretary. 76 00:03:43,067 --> 00:03:45,467 Speaker 5: Some of them are where we have strong. 77 00:03:45,227 --> 00:03:49,467 Speaker 4: Relationships, particularly around Asia Pacific. We've got now people in 78 00:03:49,987 --> 00:03:53,867 Speaker 4: our management team who have strong work relationships around that 79 00:03:53,907 --> 00:03:57,427 Speaker 4: sort of particularly in that Pacific room space AFC and 80 00:03:57,547 --> 00:04:00,747 Speaker 4: conk V. And then we've got match agents as well, 81 00:04:00,827 --> 00:04:05,067 Speaker 4: so you shid a real range of match agents and 82 00:04:05,107 --> 00:04:07,547 Speaker 4: it's a bit like sometimes you then with car dealer 83 00:04:07,867 --> 00:04:11,427 Speaker 4: type characters and other times you are no disrespected to guardialists. 84 00:04:11,467 --> 00:04:14,307 Speaker 4: But you know there's a there's a real array of 85 00:04:14,427 --> 00:04:18,747 Speaker 4: people in there and so yeah, there's a whole different message. 86 00:04:18,747 --> 00:04:21,387 Speaker 4: But I expect that we'll be rereaching out pretty much 87 00:04:21,387 --> 00:04:24,107 Speaker 4: the night of the drawer to help organize opposition. 88 00:04:24,707 --> 00:04:27,427 Speaker 3: How likely or not is it that we'll see the 89 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:30,187 Speaker 3: All Whites at home again before the World Cup. 90 00:04:31,147 --> 00:04:31,827 Speaker 5: There's probable. 91 00:04:31,907 --> 00:04:36,667 Speaker 4: I mean, it's certainly performance has to take the paramount 92 00:04:36,667 --> 00:04:40,387 Speaker 4: consideration here and I think that you know, if before 93 00:04:40,427 --> 00:04:43,747 Speaker 4: the World Cup we get games and locations that would 94 00:04:43,747 --> 00:04:46,507 Speaker 4: best performance outside of New Zealand, that should be the priorie. 95 00:04:46,507 --> 00:04:48,387 Speaker 4: I think kiwis want to see us when at this 96 00:04:48,467 --> 00:04:52,187 Speaker 4: World Cup. Having said that, you know, we've really put 97 00:04:52,227 --> 00:04:54,987 Speaker 4: a huge effort over the last few years into bringing 98 00:04:54,987 --> 00:04:58,307 Speaker 4: both teams home, playing at home every single year, building 99 00:04:58,307 --> 00:05:00,027 Speaker 4: the brand of the teams, and it's paying off. So 100 00:05:00,907 --> 00:05:03,347 Speaker 4: we're working on some factures I did. I think I said, 101 00:05:03,387 --> 00:05:05,427 Speaker 4: I'm pretty care to bring them home this year again. 102 00:05:06,987 --> 00:05:09,347 Speaker 4: I think there's a real growing bars in New Zealand 103 00:05:09,347 --> 00:05:12,587 Speaker 4: around this team, and so yeah, very keen to bring 104 00:05:12,827 --> 00:05:15,387 Speaker 4: home in at least once this year and then next year. 105 00:05:15,787 --> 00:05:18,627 Speaker 4: Performance in the draw will drive drive those. But certainly 106 00:05:18,667 --> 00:05:20,387 Speaker 4: if we got we were bringing them home again before, 107 00:05:20,467 --> 00:05:21,787 Speaker 4: you know, sitting off a should be lovely. 108 00:05:22,027 --> 00:05:24,467 Speaker 6: What about a home and away series against Australia. 109 00:05:25,227 --> 00:05:28,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean I think we've always pursued those. We've 110 00:05:29,067 --> 00:05:31,827 Speaker 4: We've had quite a few of us in the Fern site. 111 00:05:32,067 --> 00:05:34,347 Speaker 4: We managed to you know, and they found their soccer 112 00:05:34,387 --> 00:05:38,467 Speaker 4: rashes and someone's head. We managed to dig both out 113 00:05:38,507 --> 00:05:40,907 Speaker 4: and play them. We played the home and away series 114 00:05:40,947 --> 00:05:44,987 Speaker 4: in twenty twenty one, so certainly very very keen on that. 115 00:05:45,227 --> 00:05:48,587 Speaker 4: We've obviously the relationship with Football Australia is very very strong. 116 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:51,947 Speaker 4: It's probably strategically one of our most important relationships sitting 117 00:05:51,987 --> 00:05:53,147 Speaker 4: in different confederations. 118 00:05:54,147 --> 00:05:56,547 Speaker 5: I know you've been so yeah, we keep doing that. 119 00:05:56,827 --> 00:06:00,187 Speaker 4: Their challenge is that the Asian Football Confederation World Cup 120 00:06:00,267 --> 00:06:03,507 Speaker 4: qualifying process is so long. But they've just had a 121 00:06:03,507 --> 00:06:08,467 Speaker 4: great wind, you know, for them two wins. It looks 122 00:06:08,507 --> 00:06:10,267 Speaker 4: like they're high in their group, so I think that 123 00:06:10,387 --> 00:06:13,827 Speaker 4: makes them more likely. So you will be in dialogue 124 00:06:13,827 --> 00:06:15,187 Speaker 4: with them over coming weeks for sure. 125 00:06:15,307 --> 00:06:16,307 Speaker 6: All right, look forward to that. 126 00:06:16,987 --> 00:06:18,867 Speaker 3: How strong a feeling, Andrew, do you get from the 127 00:06:18,867 --> 00:06:22,107 Speaker 3: players and the coaching staff that they want to play 128 00:06:22,147 --> 00:06:24,587 Speaker 3: well at the World Cup, win games at the World Cup, 129 00:06:24,627 --> 00:06:26,667 Speaker 3: not just be there to make up the numbers. 130 00:06:27,187 --> 00:06:30,307 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, is they know what they're capable of. 131 00:06:31,667 --> 00:06:36,947 Speaker 4: They absolutely want to break new ground. Everyone remembers twenty ten, Well, 132 00:06:37,027 --> 00:06:42,347 Speaker 4: it was phenomenal time for the game. But look, this 133 00:06:42,427 --> 00:06:44,427 Speaker 4: is the greatest group of talent we've ever had right now, 134 00:06:44,667 --> 00:06:48,867 Speaker 4: and they definitely can you know they're on the verge 135 00:06:48,867 --> 00:06:52,507 Speaker 4: of a breakout performance and they're so young as well. 136 00:06:53,187 --> 00:06:55,747 Speaker 4: They think the exciting thing is obviously our focus will 137 00:06:55,747 --> 00:06:58,347 Speaker 4: be squarely on twenty six, but this is a squad 138 00:06:58,347 --> 00:07:01,947 Speaker 4: who could be pretty much carry right through to twenty. 139 00:07:01,707 --> 00:07:03,627 Speaker 5: Thirty as well. 140 00:07:03,707 --> 00:07:06,467 Speaker 4: So not only you know twenty six is first and 141 00:07:06,507 --> 00:07:09,707 Speaker 4: foremost the focus, but this could be a group that 142 00:07:09,787 --> 00:07:12,187 Speaker 4: really carries on and takes the takes the game to 143 00:07:12,267 --> 00:07:12,947 Speaker 4: new heights. 144 00:07:13,227 --> 00:07:16,027 Speaker 3: How big a financial boost is World Cup qualification for 145 00:07:16,107 --> 00:07:16,987 Speaker 3: New Zealand football. 146 00:07:17,867 --> 00:07:21,547 Speaker 5: It's really significant. Look, I think we've come a long way. 147 00:07:21,907 --> 00:07:24,547 Speaker 5: Those of your listeners who are. 148 00:07:25,547 --> 00:07:28,387 Speaker 4: Followed the national body over the decades will remember there's 149 00:07:28,547 --> 00:07:31,467 Speaker 4: you know, it used to be a time when it 150 00:07:31,587 --> 00:07:34,947 Speaker 4: was very much to burn bus type organization and pretty 151 00:07:34,987 --> 00:07:36,187 Speaker 4: regular financial trouble. 152 00:07:36,547 --> 00:07:39,227 Speaker 5: We've moved from that. Said, if we if you know 153 00:07:39,347 --> 00:07:41,667 Speaker 5: I had a disastrous. 154 00:07:41,107 --> 00:07:43,507 Speaker 4: Not on Monday and things had gone wrong, we were 155 00:07:43,907 --> 00:07:47,187 Speaker 4: still pretty solent. We were gonna it's gonna be real challenges, 156 00:07:47,227 --> 00:07:48,587 Speaker 4: but we would have pushed on. 157 00:07:48,667 --> 00:07:50,427 Speaker 5: But this is this is a material boost. 158 00:07:50,867 --> 00:07:52,947 Speaker 4: It allows us to keep and gting down into our 159 00:07:53,027 --> 00:07:54,467 Speaker 4: federations more and more money. 160 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:56,627 Speaker 5: More and more resources into the community game. 161 00:07:56,787 --> 00:07:59,627 Speaker 4: It allows us to keep keep running and maintaining our 162 00:07:59,747 --> 00:08:02,987 Speaker 4: nine international teams who are around the world constantly. 163 00:08:03,587 --> 00:08:05,507 Speaker 5: Uh, and it also lets us have a closer to 164 00:08:05,507 --> 00:08:07,107 Speaker 5: look at our domestic positions too. 165 00:08:07,227 --> 00:08:10,147 Speaker 4: So you know that we've made some big format changes 166 00:08:10,267 --> 00:08:13,107 Speaker 4: through COVID, but I think there's some excitement to try 167 00:08:13,107 --> 00:08:16,027 Speaker 4: and keep those growing, expanding from our from our clubs 168 00:08:16,027 --> 00:08:16,947 Speaker 4: to participate in them. 169 00:08:17,027 --> 00:08:18,467 Speaker 5: So yeah, it's it's really big. 170 00:08:18,707 --> 00:08:21,107 Speaker 4: The game's growing and it needs more resource to sustain 171 00:08:21,147 --> 00:08:24,147 Speaker 4: its growth, so it comes. 172 00:08:24,227 --> 00:08:25,627 Speaker 5: It's very timely, let's put it that way. 173 00:08:25,627 --> 00:08:27,667 Speaker 3: Well, I can understand why the heart rate was a 174 00:08:27,667 --> 00:08:29,987 Speaker 3: but on the on the high side at nilaw when 175 00:08:30,067 --> 00:08:31,707 Speaker 3: Chris Wood went off Andrew. 176 00:08:32,027 --> 00:08:35,827 Speaker 4: Yes, exactly, yeah, yeah, no, it was I think myself 177 00:08:35,867 --> 00:08:38,307 Speaker 4: and the CFO, we're looking at each other aware of 178 00:08:38,347 --> 00:08:39,347 Speaker 4: the consequences and. 179 00:08:41,027 --> 00:08:42,187 Speaker 5: You know, it's just it's great. 180 00:08:42,227 --> 00:08:45,107 Speaker 4: I mean, obviously we would have been disastrous not to 181 00:08:45,107 --> 00:08:49,547 Speaker 4: have gone through, but the team is, the team has 182 00:08:49,587 --> 00:08:52,907 Speaker 4: played well and yeah, and some exciting fixtures coming up. 183 00:08:53,107 --> 00:08:53,827 Speaker 6: Absolutely. Yeah. 184 00:08:53,947 --> 00:08:55,587 Speaker 3: Just before you go, where are we with the appointment 185 00:08:55,587 --> 00:08:57,787 Speaker 3: of a new permanent Football Funds coach? 186 00:08:57,827 --> 00:09:00,227 Speaker 6: Any progress there that's on the market. 187 00:09:00,507 --> 00:09:02,987 Speaker 5: The team is leaving this weekend x J only's tape. 188 00:09:03,187 --> 00:09:04,827 Speaker 5: Just keep them out for those games. 189 00:09:05,227 --> 00:09:09,707 Speaker 4: In particular the the the international match, a match that 190 00:09:09,747 --> 00:09:14,067 Speaker 4: will be played in broadcast, so we should have a spander. 191 00:09:14,107 --> 00:09:17,987 Speaker 4: Market be just closing and I believe we'll be interviewing 192 00:09:18,067 --> 00:09:21,507 Speaker 4: Ford over April May. We're looking to a point sometime 193 00:09:21,547 --> 00:09:22,267 Speaker 4: around Joan. 194 00:09:22,547 --> 00:09:23,587 Speaker 6: Good stuff. Good update. 195 00:09:23,627 --> 00:09:25,907 Speaker 3: Hey Andrew bar I'm glad that it all worked out 196 00:09:26,267 --> 00:09:27,947 Speaker 3: on Monday night, not just for you but for the 197 00:09:28,067 --> 00:09:29,027 Speaker 3: football community here. 198 00:09:29,067 --> 00:09:31,187 Speaker 6: The All Whites can look forward to another trip. 199 00:09:31,027 --> 00:09:32,627 Speaker 3: To the World Cup. Always good to chat mate. Thanks 200 00:09:32,667 --> 00:09:33,307 Speaker 3: for taking the time. 201 00:09:33,787 --> 00:09:35,707 Speaker 4: Appreciate that Bony take care you take. 202 00:09:35,547 --> 00:09:37,987 Speaker 3: Care to Andrew thinks indeed Andrew Pregnant, CEO of New 203 00:09:38,067 --> 00:09:40,747 Speaker 3: Zealand Football, joining us on Weekends Sport after the All 204 00:09:40,787 --> 00:09:44,187 Speaker 3: Whites secured their ticket to the World Cup next year. 205 00:09:44,707 --> 00:09:47,907 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 206 00:09:48,027 --> 00:09:51,307 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday or follow 207 00:09:51,347 --> 00:09:52,947 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.