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February 11, 2004 Australia Cup is first step on road to China for New Zealand by Jeremy Ruane Next week New Zealand soccer takes its first steps on the road to qualifying for the 2007 World Cup Finals in China when their national team takes on the cream of Asian soccer and arch-rivals Australia in the sixth Australia Cup tournament in Brisbane. China and North Korea, respectively fifth and seventh in FIFA's latest rankings, will ensure that a new-look New Zealand squad will enjoy a baptism of fire in the heat of Brisbane. National Team Head Coach Fred Simpson is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing his young charges. "Trying to obtain a level of competitiveness is one of our objectives at this tournament, but it is not the be-all and end-all of the trip."said Christchurch-based Simpson, who was New Zealand Assistant coach at last year's World Cup qualifying tournament. "The prime objective is the identification of legitimate international candidates with whom we can progress towards our ultimate target, qualifying for China 2007." With that in mind, ten of the eighteen-strong squad which departs for Brisbane on Friday will be embarking on their first trip as members of the senior national team. "I would like to think we will increase the number of players who can help us realise that target following this tournament." says Simpson, who is very confident that the raw material exists within New Zealand soccer circles to achieve their ultimate aim. "We have some outstanding technical players in the game, such as Amber Hearn, Zoe Thompson and Hayley Moorwood, to mention a couple. But the performances of the likes of US-based trio Priscilla Duncan, Simone Ferrara and Rebecca Smith last year have given these technically gifted players a new level to aspire to, in terms of developing their game physically. To that end, we want to make sure they get the opportunities they deserve to progress in this regard, and realise their full potential, via playing for their clubs and in the National Soccer League, and overseas both in terms of internationals such as this tournament, and in the US university system." There are players who have missed out on this occasion - the likes of Rachel Doody and Michele Keinzley - who made their international debuts in Canberra last April, and, having now experienced the disappointment of being overlooked, now have extra incentive to ensure they are in the next New Zealand squad. Another notable absentee is Nicky Smith, who was initially named in the squad, but has had to drop out due to personal commitments. "Losing Nicky is a tragedy," admits Simpson, "because as well as her outstanding footballing talent, she is a bubbly character with plenty of experience. But in saying that, we know what she is capable of, and she will be available on other occasions. Meantime, this opens up opportunities for some of the newcomers to step up and endeavour to make their mark." Sara Clapham has been called in to replace the talents of New Zealand's reigning International Player of the Year. The native Cantabrian's football has improved in leaps and bounds since moving to Auckland three years ago -a bold move by the then sixteen-year-old, who has benefited greatly from her desire to realise her soccer-playing ambitions. Just last year, she made her mark in the northern province's National League-winning "A Team" rep side, and scored a hat-trick in the Uncle Toby Knockout Cup Final for her club, Lynn-Avon United, with whom she emerged as the Northern Premier League top goal scorer for the first time in 2003. Simpson describes as "refreshing" that the structures established by the Director of Football for New Zealand Soccer, Paul Smalley, have prompted the national body to openly state that 2007 (the World Cup Finals) and 2008 (the Olympic Games) are now a legitimate target for them. He is delighted also with the person chosen to assist him with coaching duties at this tournament. "I was very pleased when Ali Grant's name came into contention for the role. We have ve got numerous former players with immense international experience, and it pleases me that someone such as Ali is going to be involved at this level, because the commitment she has made to the game in the past - thirty-seven appearances for New Zealand - and continues to make today in a coaching capacity, is something which should be encouraged. Make no mistake, she will not be the last female involved in coaching at national level!." While the opportunity to pit their talents against Australia (February18th.), China (21st.) and against North Korea (24th.)in New Zealand's one hundredth full international has delighted the players, it is balanced by an understandable element of disappointment with NZ Soccer's decision not to enter the Olympic Qualifying tournament in early March. But the newly-appointed national team coach believes it is the right move, particularly from a long-term perspective. "Whichever way you look at it, we gain far more from playing against the likes of China and North Korea now, with an eye towards being a competitive force in three years time, than we would from playing against the island nations - it really is a no-brainer." Simpson understands the angst felt by some at the decision, particularly by those players who may have perhaps been targeting Athens 2004 as their last hurrah on the international stage. "I hate to see people write themselves off prematurely, particularly age-wise."says the man who was NZ Soccer's representative at the 2003 World Cup Finals in the USA. Take it from me - age is no barrier. Germany and the USA, who finished first and third respectively at last year's Finals, boast a number of players in the thirty-plus age bracket - the likes of Mia Hamm (31), Brandi Chastain (35) and Joy Fawcett, the 36-year-old defender who was still good enough to make the tournament's All-Star Team, are just three examples." Come the time China 2007 materialises, only Maia Jackman, Zarnia Cogle and Simone Ferrara of the squad heading to Brisbane will have entered their fourth decade, so barring the unforeseen there is no reason for this trio not to still be creating on-field mayhem for opponents come the start of the quest to qualify for the 2011 World Cup Finals!! Right now, however, the challenge is to find the players capable of joining the aforementioned trio, and other internationals of the ilk and quality of Nicky and Rebecca Smith, Priscilla Duncan and Hayley Moorwood, as part of a combination good enough to compete on the ultimate world stage in three years time. New Zealand National Team (caps and goals in brackets) and itinerary: Bindon, Jenny (0,0) Clapham, Sara (0,0) Clarke, Naomi (0,0) Cogle, Zarnia (13,0) Duncan, Priscilla (4,1) Ferrara, Simone (9,5) Gibbs, Sarah (0,0) Hearn, Amber (0,0)Howard, Rachel (6,0) Jackman, Maia (21,11) Meo, Pip (0,0) Moorwood, Hayley (3,1) Pyke, Meisha (2,0) Rangi, Brooke (0,0) Simpson, Rebecca (0,0Smith,Rebecca (4,0) Sowden, Rebecca (0,0) Thompson, Zoe (0,0)   Coach Fred Simpson Assistant Ali Grant GK Coach Mick Leonard Manager Steve Williamson Sports Science John Lythe Doctor Liesel Geertsema Physio Jocelyn Hayward   Matches February 18 Australia 8pm NZ time (5pm local) 21 China 5pm NZ time (2pm local) 24 North Korea 8pm NZ time (5pm local) All tournament games take place at Brisbane's QE2 (formerly ANZ) Stadium.