WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand soccer has withdrawn its national team from a scheduled international friendly in disaster-struck Japan later this month due to safety concerns.
The organization said in a statement Thursday the decision to withdraw was taken after a lengthy consultation process with government agencies, the Professional Footballers Association, team management and staff.
Japan’s soccer association had proposed moving the March 29 match from Tokyo to Osaka, which it had assured New Zealand was free from any risk arising from last week’s earthquake, resulting tsunami and ongoing nuclear crisis.
The New Zealand under-17 team has also been withdrawn from the Sanix Cup in Fukuoka and redirected to Doha, Qatar, to continue its preparations for the under-17 World Cup.
