The international match is part of the wider celebrations of 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and China and will be played on November 14 at the Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium during the FIFA window.
Joining the All Whites for this celebration is match partner Huawei New Zealand, who will be supporting the Kiwis on their visit to China.
“It is very exciting for us to partner with the All Whites, who have achieved such great success recently. It is also a privilege to be part of an event which celebrates the ties between New Zealand and China,” said Huawei NZ CEO Arthur Zhang.
The match and associated events will raise the profile of New Zealand in the important Shanghai market and celebrate the broad and increasing ties which the two countries enjoy. Earlier this year the Football Ferns also played their Chinese counterparts under the same banner with New Zealand winning the two internationals in Auckland 3-1 and 1-0.
With the All Whites final FIFA World Cup™ qualifying matches against New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands not scheduled until March 2013 the international friendly serves as an opportunity to keep the squad playing in the lead up to those fixtures.
New Zealand currently leads the race for the Oceania berth in the intercontinental playoff with the fourth best CONCACAF side in November next year. The winner of the home and away tie will qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.
China is currently ranked 85th out of 208 FIFA countries with New Zealand sitting seven places below them in 92nd.
It will be the 13th meeting between China and New Zealand at senior men’s international level after the team’s last met in Wuhan in March last year. That match ended in a 1-1 draw after Michael McGlinchey – who scored two goals in the All Whites recent win over Tahiti – cancelled out a second minute Andrew Boyens own goal.
Broadcast coverage of the match is currently being confirmed.
Head to Head
New Zealand v China
played 12: NZ won 6, China won 3, 3 draws
New Zealand v China (in China)
Played 5: China won 3, 2 draws
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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