Crowd wise we def need a Auckland vs WSW final for the good of the game in Australia (and NZ). But will prob end up with a City vs WU final at Tarnet stadium.
It sucks Japan are going to play there full stretch side, they where missing a few stars when playing the Saudis. Maybe the Arabs paid Japan some decent coin to do so.
Socceroo's will be heading to another intercontinental play off. With so many players out injured and Japan to play there full strength side there is no way we qualify directly. History always repeats it self and in the case we will cum 4th behind Indonesia. I can see the Socceroo's playing off...
Auckland will have one next season or the season after depending on the how soon they can set it up, but overall i think every A-league said has a academy. Wellingtons one has produce a lot of good players.
Joining Asia would def be the goal, But i doubt AFC would take NZ let a lone Oceania allowing them to leave. Back on the A-league i would rather see 14k crowds at a Christchurch team game then watching a Canberra side with 3k crowds.