NZF has options should Paraguay fall through

The initial deadline has passed but New Zealand Football remains hopeful of securing the All Whites an October friendly against Paraguay, and confident of luring another team to New Zealand if that deal falls over.

NZF chief executive Michael Glading had wanted to complete formalities yesterday for a home match against world No16 Paraguay on October 12 yesterday, but negotiations that also involve Australia and a match agent have been protracted and he will have to wait until early next week for an answer.

Paraguay are looking to play in Australia on October 9.

"We're making progress but we're not across the line yet. We're sitting back and waiting for it to be finalised," Glading said.

"Because there are four parties involved, it takes a little longer. If [Paraguay] can't do a deal with Australia, our side of it would fall over.

"We're just quietly keeping in touch with Australia now until they do their deal. They've said to us they would know for sure by early next week."

NZF had two other options should Paraguay fall over, understood to be South American teams.

There is also an outside chance that two home matches could be arranged for the October international window, with matches on the 9th and 12th.

"Our goal was always to get a game but it is a decent-length window so we could get two," Glading said. "Once we get one, we can close that book and decide where to from there.

"Time is marching on. If this is going to take place, we have to work through a lot of stuff. We're just waiting on progress from across the Tasman."

- © Fairfax NZ News