All Whites to face Canada in March friendly

  • 02/02/2018
It will be the first time in 38 years the two sides have faced off against each other.
It will be the first time in 38 years the two sides have faced off against each other. Photo credit: Getty Images

The All Whites will face Canada in a behind-closed-doors international in Murcia, Spain on March 24.

The World No.120 New Zealand side will play World No.95 Canada for the first time in 38 years.

The match will be the first for the All Whites since their bid to qualify for the World Cup came up short in the intercontinental play-off against Peru.

New Zealand Football technical director Andreas Heraf confirmed the match would also be the first in charge for a yet-to-be-appointed head coach.

"This training camp and international friendly are perfect for the All Whites as we start again and begin the next World Cup cycle," said Heraf.

"Canada are a good level of opposition for us and the match will be played at a venue with outstanding facilities.

"It is anticipated our new head coach will have plenty of time on the training pitch with their new squad."

Canada are coached by John Herdman, who was the Football Ferns head coach from 2006 to 2011 - taking them to two FIFA World Cups and the Beijing Olympics.

"New Zealand has and always will hold a special place in my heart as it gave me my first opportunity to work in international football, as well as the chance to be part of leaving a special legacy with the Whole of Football Plan," said Herdman.

"I am pleased that I will have the chance to begin this new chapter for Canada against New Zealand."

The All Whites, who will arrive in Spain on 19 March and leave on 25 March, will have a training camp ahead of the game.

By mutual agreement, the match will be a closed-door affair.

Both teams are at the beginning of a new cycle and will have new coaches. The match will be the first time that the coaches and players will meet and work together.

New Zealand and Canada have played six times throughout their history, with Canada winning four times and New Zealand winning twice.

It will be the first time these two teams have played each other since a two-match series in 1980 in Canada, which the hosts won.

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