All Whites look to fresh legs

Published: 10:31AM Tuesday March 31, 2009 Source: NZPA

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New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert will use the match against Thailand A in Bangkok on Wednesday morning (NZ time) to introduce some fresh players and test a positional switch.

Herbert has made four changes from the side who lost 1-3 to Thailand in sapping 35 degree heat on Monday, with Glen Moss replacing Mark Paston in goal, while Jeremy Christie and Chris James come in for Duncan Oughton and first-game goal scorer Kris Bright.

Aaron Scott, who made his All Whites debut from the bench , now gets his first start in the match against Thailand's second stringers.

"There were some pretty tired bodies after Saturday night, and we need to make sure we get as many fresh ones on the park as we can," Herbert said.

James will line up behind Shane Smeltz in a 4-4-1-1 formation, giving the 21-year-old Tampere United and former Fulham midfielder more attacking influence.

The tour is a chance for a normally far-flung squad to spend valuable time together while allowing Herbert to cast a watchful eye over different combinations and fringe players ahead of June's Confederations Cup and the October-November World Cup playoff.

"It's important that we keep the objectives we set that we came over here with."

Injured forwards Chris Killen and Jarrod Smith - who missed Sunday's friendly - are again sidelined by calf and thigh strains respectively.

It gives Herbert less license for change than he would have liked in the second match of the week-long camp.

Ryan Nelsen and Andy Boyens will back-up in the centre of defence while left back Tony Lochhead, striker Smeltz and midfielders Simon Elliott, Jeremy Brockie and Tim Brown will all line up for their second start in four days.

Team: Glen Moss, Aaron Scott, Ryan Nelsen (capt), Andrew Boyens, Tony Lochhead, Simon Elliott, Tim Brown, Jeremy Christie, Jeremy Brockie, Chris James, Shane Smeltz. Substitutes: Mark Paston, David Mulligan, Duncan Oughton, Kris Bright, Kris Bouckenooghe.

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