Qualification likely to be harder in future

NZ Football believes the All Whites will have a tougher qualification route in future, something defender Ben Sigmund is welcoming

New Zealand Football believes there will inevitably be changes to the All Whites' World Cup qualification path in the future.

Oceania secretary general Tai Nicholas claims FIFA will not change the qualification route for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading disagrees, saying it would be naive to say that New Zealand's qualification will not be under discussion at some point. He believes it is important to plan ahead and say 'what if?'

Glading says it would be a setback if FIFA make the Oceania champions play the fifth placed team from South America in a two-legged playoff. He would rather see the All Whites go into the final phase of the Asian Confederation qualifying.

That would mean the All Whites would play at least eight further qualifying matches.

All Whites defender Ben Sigmund says that would be ideal as it would help New Zealand move forward as a footballing nation. He says the teams in the Asian Confederation are much better.

"To be fair I think we've got to get out of playing these Fiji and so on and island guys. No disrespect, but we need to be playing better games to be to a better team."

Sigmund also believes New Zealand Football need to restructure the sport if it is to continue to grow.

"Right through from the young kids, club football, national league - they've got to really have a good look at it and develop that and push it on through."

The defender and the other five Wellington Phoenix players in the All Whites squad; Mark Paston, Leo Bertos Tim Brown, Tony Lochhead and David Mulligan, have all returned to club training ahead of Sunday's A-League match against the Newcastle Jets.

Sigmund concedes he still has not completely recovered from the weekend celebrations.

"To be fair I'm a little bit worse for wear. But I'll battle through and we'll get back on the wagon and we'll be there for the weekend."

Sigmund is still waiting for a Facebook fan page to be formed in his honour. Game saving goalie Mark Paston is fast approaching 1,000 fans on the social networking site.