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The All Whites face a baptism of fire against red-hot Mexico in Los Angeles. tvnz.co.nz's Michael Burgess looks at the key questions.
The All Whites face a baptism of fire against red-hot Mexico in Los Angeles on Thursday at 5pm (NZT).
How about that preparation?
It's been a nightmare. Shall we make a list of how not to go into a match against one of the best footballing sides on the planet? First, lose your captain and best player (Ryan Nelsen) to injury, and throw in your most experienced player and the other key defender (Ivan Vicelich). The rest of the squad fly cramped cattle class from all over the planet, and have just two training sessions before facing the might of Mexico in front of 80,000 fanatical Mexican fans.
How good is Mexico?
Ranked world number 17 in the world, their record is solid rather than spectacular on the world stage. Indeed apart from reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup as hosts in both 1970 and 1986, they have never got beyond the second round in any other World Cup tournament. But they have often landed tough draws and the 2006 incarnation was unlucky to lose to a star-studded Argentinean team in the first knockout round.
The huge contingent of Mexican media has high hopes for the 2010 team, which boast plenty of players plying their trade in the biggest European leagues and a nice blend of youth and experience.
Who should we watch for?
Captain and talisman Rafael Marquez, part of the all conquering Barcelona team, generally recognised as the best club team in the world. After duelling with the likes of Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry in training, you would imagine the 31-year-old is not that apprehensive about marking Fallon, Smeltz et al.
Precocious 21-year-old striker Carlos Vela has already notched seven international goals and is highly regarded by his club manager Arsene Wenger.
The key question :
With Chris Killen, Rory Fallon, Shane Smeltz and young star Chris Wood, the New Zealand side potentially have the firepower to trouble the Mexicans. But who will provide the service? Leo Bertos, you would imagine would struggle to get out of his own half and midfield anchors Tim Brown and Simon Elliot need to provide a solid shield for the inexperienced back four and will be under pressure just to retain possession, let alone thread some wonder passes and make runs into the box.
The key player:
Difficult to nominate just one, as every member of the squad will want to have the match of their lives. Tommy Smith brings Championship experience and will need to adjust to international level immediately as he replaces Ryan Nelsen, while vice-captain Tim Brown has been in a rich vein of form recently for the Phoenix and will start with confidence. Goalkeeper Glen Moss returns from the international wilderness after a mixed season and will surely be in for a busy night. Finally Chris Wood impressed many with his fearless approach in Manana and Wellington and has the pace, skill and belief to shine.
What is Herbert's gameplan?
The usual story for the underdogs. Plenty of players behind the ball, and look to counter attack on the break. The All Whites will be most dangerous from set pieces, especially with the return of Elliot who is a set piece specialist. If they get the delivery right - Fallon and Killen can cause problems for the Mexican defence.
Coach Herbert will make prodigious use of his bench, especially as the effects of jet lag begin to take their toll in the last half hour of the tie. It is most likely Herbert will revert to a back four, after the experimentation against Bahrain, with Elliot will act as a defensive holding midfielder. Fallon and Smeltz should start with Wood on the bench. Killen, who has recently returned from injury, looks unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.
The last time?
New Zealand 4 Mexico 0. Sounds unlikely but it was as an inspired New Zealand side, under a new management team of John Adshead and Kevin Fallon that stunned the North Americans at Bill McKinlay park in Auckland.
Dynamite defence
This All Whites side has conceded just one goal in their last four international matches - that's 360 minutes - though it has to be said that the opposition was not in Mexico's class. The last time New Zealand played sans Nelsen it was chaos in the backline, with Italy scoring three goals.
The verdict:
Herbert has insisted that it is all about the performance rather than the result, and to a degree he is right. The All Whites could well put in a creditable performance and still find themselves on the wrong end of a three or four goal scoreline, just due to flashes of brilliance from the star-studded Mexican team.
During Herbert's reign the side has taken on teams ranked way above them, with mixed results. A performance like that achieved against Brazil (0-4 in 2006), Chile (0-1 on 2007) or Italy (3-4) would be tolerated, while they would not want a repeat of the poor showing in forgettable matches such as versus Venzuela (0-5 in 2007) or Spain (0-5 in 2009).
The prediction:
All Whites surprise all by taking a shock early lead before gradually being overwhelmed by the pace and precision of the North American side.
tvnz.co.nz will be LIVE blogging the match right here from 5pm New Zealand time.
