NEW ZEALAND – ALL WHITES ADD SECOND THAILAND DATE

AUCKLAND – The Thai Airways All Whites will follow their March 28 friendly against Thailand with a March 31 match against Thailand ‘A’ to replace a cancelled fixture against Indonesia.

The Indonesian leg of New Zealand’s two match South East Asian trip was cancelled on March 2 due to safety concerns around that country’s upcoming legislative elections.

New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading said removing the travel factor and turning the tour into a week-long Bangkok camp offered a settled start to a busy 2009 campaign.

“Less time spent travelling means more time together and more time on the grass. With our players spread far and wide, making the most of these FIFA windows is absolutely crucial.”

The second match could give New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert – currently in the United Kingdom – the chance to experiment with combinations and offered newer players like uncapped defender Aaron Scott and one-cap striker Kris Bright the chance of extended game time.

The New Zealand-based All Whites will fly out from Auckland on March 24, meeting their Australia, Europe and US based team mates in Bangkok.

The two friendlies begin a busy year for the All Whites who face Spain, Iraq and hosts South Africa at June’s Confederations Cup before facing a yet-to-be-determined Asian nation in an October-November playoff for a place at the 2010 World Cup.

New Zealand Football are likely to announce more pre-Confederations Cup warm-ups in early April.

New Zealand’s 2009 Schedule:

March 28

March 31

June 14-28

New Zealand v Spain

New Zealand v South Africa

New Zealand v Iraq

October 10-14

November 14-18

Date, location and opposition tbd