On September 26, Beijing time (CEST), the pre-match press conference for the 2026 CFA China-New Zealand International Football Invitational was held at Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium. According to senior football journalist @Lei Jieshen, New Zealand's head coach Darren Bazeley attended along with player Marko Stamenic.

Bazeley stated:

"First, I'm very happy to be here and excited to participate in this competition. Like any other match, we're all eager and looking forward to facing the Chinese national team. We've played against other national teams in the past. I believe this match between New Zealand and China will be very competitive and very meaningful for our players. I also hope many people will come to watch the match. I also remember that when I first coached the New Zealand team in 2023, the Chinese team came to New Zealand to play against us. That match was also very well played by both sides, and both teams have made significant progress and growth over the years. I'm looking forward to the next match against China."

Stamenic stated:

"First, I'm very grateful to China for inviting us to participate in this competition. I'm also very happy to be in this beautiful country. On the way here, we've seen many beautiful sights and been warmly welcomed by everyone. I think this city and country are both wonderful. We also visited the football stadium today, and I think all the facilities are of very high quality. So next, we'll train actively with our team to prepare for this competition. I believe playing against the Chinese team is a very special and unique opportunity, and I look forward to seeing them on the pitch again. Thank you all, and it's great to be here."

You mentioned the match against China three years ago. How would you evaluate that match and the Chinese team from that time? The current Chinese team has undergone some changes; do you have new perspectives on the current squad?

Bazeley: "I remember that 2023 match very clearly. I recall that we drew the first match, then narrowly won the second. That day was very special for me because I was the interim coach at that time. So winning that match was certainly very important to me. But I also remember the competition was very intense, with fierce battles from both sides. The New Zealand team and the Chinese team have both evolved since then. For example, our team has introduced many new players and young talent. Additionally, our players have competed in many top European leagues. China has also made great strides. I believe our next match will be very exciting and will also be a great challenge for us. What's special is that in 2023, we played at home, and now we're playing away. I feel we're very excited and well prepared."

Participating in the World Cup must have been an unforgettable experience. How has the World Cup helped and benefited the team?

Bazeley: "I think participating in the World Cup was an unforgettable experience because it's the biggest tournament in the world. We actually performed very well, as we were ahead several times during our matches. Although we ultimately failed to qualify for the knockout stages, which is unfortunate, I think there are aspects we can be proud of. I saw our entire team united and fighting for every match. As long as our players, staff, and every member of the New Zealand team are united and give their best, we can compete with the best teams in the world. We're also a very young team, so I believe the experience gained at the World Cup is very important for our development in the coming years. And I look forward to the opportunity to qualify for the 2030 World Cup."

This is the first time FIFA has extended the international match window to four matches. How do you evaluate this change, and will there be differences in preparation and planning?

Bazeley: "Indeed, FIFA has increased the calendar to four matches. But that doesn't mean all national teams will play all four matches; some might play only two or three. However, for us, we want our players to gain as much experience as possible, so we're planning to play all four. This also allows us to give more opportunities to young players, letting them make their debuts. For example, in the match against Palestine, we had three new players who made their national team debuts. Additionally, we'll rotate and mix up some players across the four matches. Some of our players participated in World Cup matches, like Stamenic, who actually played in all World Cup matches. Others may not have had the opportunity to play in the World Cup. There are also new players with less experience. So through these rotations, we're giving everyone plenty of opportunities to play and gain minutes. We're also very happy to have this opportunity to play against China, and afterward, we'll immediately travel to Japan for another match. The schedule is quite demanding because the time is very tight; we often have to recover quickly after a match and then travel to another location for the next one. It's our daily routine, but we always appreciate the process of playing."

Flying to China is quite a long journey, and as the head coach mentioned, players will certainly feel fatigued from the travel. So for yourself, how do you and your teammates feel about your physical condition, especially after such a long journey?

Stamenic: "Yes, indeed, as you said, this journey is very long, and some of our players usually play in Europe, some in Australia, and some in New Zealand. So for everyone, coming to China is certainly a very long trip. Plus, because we have to play for the national team, we're actually accustomed to traveling frequently. Sometimes we might also return home to visit family and friends. So most of the time, we're actually quite used to this state. However, long-distance travel does bring a certain degree of fatigue. But fortunately, we have a very attentive and efficient logistics team and staff who can help us quickly resolve various issues and better prepare for these matches."

Traduit par IA.

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