All Whites to play USA in international friendly

  • 18/08/2016
Clint Dempsey scores against Paraguay (Getty Images)
Clint Dempsey scores against Paraguay (Getty Images)

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson is calling it "one of the biggest windows" in the recent history of New Zealand Football.

The World No 93, who earlier this month announced an international friendly against Mexico on October 8, confirmed today they will play against the USA three days later in Washington D.C. on October 11.

 The OFC Nations Cup champions will face a great challenge when they come up against the Mexico and the United States. Hudson described it as a massive occasion for New Zealand Football.

"This has got to be one of the biggest windows we’ve had in quite a few years playing against two world-class sides," said the 35-year-old.

"The States and Mexico are two teams that always compete well at the FIFA World Cup and they both have large followings so we’re hoping for some big crowds to really test ourselves." 

 Hudson said both fixtures against the USA and Mexico would be vital for their preparation for their OFC Round Three Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup in 2016 and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

"These are the games we need.

"From October it will give us 12 months to really gauge where we’re at as a team and what we need to improve on to beat the teams come next year. It really is a perfect window for us, the 12 months gives us a great opportunity to put ourselves in the best possible position to compete at the highest level."

Hudson wants his team to make a statement that they are capable of competing with top international teams with the Intercontinental Playoff at the end of next year in mind. 

"These games are a dream for a lot of players and coaches so we’ll be preparing in a way that we’ve never done before because we want to make the most out of this huge occasion."

Newshub.