The All Whites will get an excellent opportunity to get used to playing conditions in the Middle East when they play two matches during January’s international window.
New Zealand Football have arranged games against Jordan and Uzbekistan, providing Danny Hay’s team with games against teams ranked higher in the FIFA world rankings, and in testing conditions.
These will serve as warm-up games for the FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament in March to decide which Oceania nation progresses to the intercontinental play-off.
Jordan are ranked 91st in the world rankings, while Uzbekistan are 84th.
New Zealand currently sit in 110th place.
“These games should definitely be a good test for us and that is what we need to develop as a playing group.” coach Hay told New Zealand Football’s website.
“Along with potentially giving us the opportunity to include a few new players, it also gives us another chance to play in the Middle East and allows the squad to acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the OFC games in March.”
International diary
Saturday January 29: New Zealand v Jordan (venue: Abu Dhabi)
Wednesday February 2: New Zealand v Uzbekistan (venue: Dubai)
Stadia and kick off times will be confirmed in January.
New Zealand’s path to the Qatar World Cup
Click here to see what the All Whites need to do to reach the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar >>>>
