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World Cup 2010: New Zealand Announce Rose Bowl Friendly Against Mexico
The New Zealand Football Federation has announced plans to play Mexico in a friendly, on March 3 against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Dec 22, 2009 12:35:05 PM
Mexico and New Zealand will play an international friendly in Pasadena, Calif. on March 3, the New Zealand Football Federation announced on its Web site.
The match will fall on the only international fixture date before the 2010 World Cup, which means both sides will likely feature both sides' best available rosters.
Mexico have been rumored to have games lined up against the Netherlands as well as possibly England and Germany but this is the first match that has been confirmed by a federation. The Mexican Football Federation, however, had not announced the match.
For New Zealand, the opportunity to play Mexico in their first World Cup tune-up is significant.
"With Paraguay in the group, a game against Mexico is ideal for us," All Whites Manager Ricki Herbert told the federation's Web site. "A big name, a very strong team but a good opportunity to get our team back together in the only window leading up to the World Cup.”
New Zealand were drawn into Group F along with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia. Nicknamed the "All Whites," New Zealand's national team does not often play in front of crowds that generally turn out to watch El Tricolor play on American soil.
Mexico drew more than 50,000 to the Rose Bowl in May 5, 2006, as El Tri beat Venezuela in a pre-World Cup friendly.
“It’s a massive game, but it’s important to stretch ourselves leading into the World Cup but those elements: quality opposition, big crowds, playing away from home are all things we need to consider," Herbert said.
Mexico were drawn into Group A along with South Africa, France and Uruguay.
Goal.com
For more coverage of the Mexican National Team, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
The match will fall on the only international fixture date before the 2010 World Cup, which means both sides will likely feature both sides' best available rosters.
Mexico have been rumored to have games lined up against the Netherlands as well as possibly England and Germany but this is the first match that has been confirmed by a federation. The Mexican Football Federation, however, had not announced the match.
For New Zealand, the opportunity to play Mexico in their first World Cup tune-up is significant.
"With Paraguay in the group, a game against Mexico is ideal for us," All Whites Manager Ricki Herbert told the federation's Web site. "A big name, a very strong team but a good opportunity to get our team back together in the only window leading up to the World Cup.”
New Zealand were drawn into Group F along with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia. Nicknamed the "All Whites," New Zealand's national team does not often play in front of crowds that generally turn out to watch El Tricolor play on American soil.
Mexico drew more than 50,000 to the Rose Bowl in May 5, 2006, as El Tri beat Venezuela in a pre-World Cup friendly.
“It’s a massive game, but it’s important to stretch ourselves leading into the World Cup but those elements: quality opposition, big crowds, playing away from home are all things we need to consider," Herbert said.
Mexico were drawn into Group A along with South Africa, France and Uruguay.
Goal.com
For more coverage of the Mexican National Team, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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