Soccer: Northland duo set to feature in Mexico tie

Jeremy Christie. Photo / File

Two Northlanders have been named in the All Whites team to take on Mexico in the World Cup play-off later this month.

Jeremy Christie and Winston Reid are joined in the 23-man squad by attacking trio Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood and Marco Rojas while Storm Roux is the surprise inclusion.

Smeltz, Wood and Rojas all missed the October friendly with Trinidad and Tobago due to injury but are a good chance to start the away leg in Mexico City next Wednesday.

Roux, on the other hand, playing in the fullback position, has risen quickly through the ranks after representing New Zealand at the Fifa U-20 World Cup in Turkey earlier this year with the 20-year-old having started all four matches of the new A-League season for the Central Coast Mariners after making the switch from Perth Glory.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert says Roux's inclusion is reward for a player who has quickly found his feet at the top level across the Tasman.

"Storm is playing in the A-League for a side that has done exceptionally well in the competition," Herbert said.

Herbert added the experience of the victory over Bahrain four years ago gave the side an insight into how best to approach the two-leg play-off tie.

"The home fixture is ultra-important and, after watching them against Finland move numbers forward quickly, I'm sure they'll try to set the tie alight and score goals in that first leg.

"That presents a strong challenge for us but also a good one."

The intercontinental playoff gets under way on November 14, 9.30am NZ time at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with the return leg at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on November 20.

New Zealand: Glen Moss, Jacob Spoonley, Tamati Williams, Andrew Durante, Tony Lochhead, Winston Reid (c), Storm Roux, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith, Bill Tuiloma, Ivan Vicelich, Leo Bertos, Aaron Clapham, Jeremy Christie, Craig Henderson, Chris James, Michael McGlinchey, Kosta Barbarouses, Jeremy Brockie, Rory Fallon, Marco Rojas, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood.