Football legend: 'This is as good a chance as any that we've had'

Ricki Herbert says New Zealand has made "a huge investment" in the All Whites this year and the team will carry high expectations in today's rematch against Peru in Lima. Photo / File

Football legend Ricki Herbert says the All Whites' rematch against Peru todayis "as good a chance as any that we've had to qualify for the World Cup".

Herbert, who coached the All Whites the last time they qualified in 2010, said New Zealand had a "50/50 chance" of qualifying even though they are ranked only 122nd in the world against tenth-ranked Peru.

In 2010 New Zealand qualified by defeating Bahrain, which is now ranked 125th. But the All Whites then drew 1-1 in the tournament against Italy, which was ranked first, and Herbert said last weekend's 0-0 draw with Peru in Wellington showed it could happen again.

"People around the world would see the odds very strongly in favour of Peru, but I think by them not scoring away from home, I think it gives the national team a good chance to get back to another World Cup," he said.

"I think it's 50/50 - as good a chance as any time that we've had to qualify for a World Cup.

"I don't see it as a game where we are up against the wall, totally under pressure. I don't see it like that at all."

Herbert said New Zealand had made "a huge investment" in preparing for the qualifying games.

"I think there is a lot of expectation, and that means there will be a lot of disappointment if they don't qualify," he said.

Kevin Fallon says the All Whites are "definitely in the game" in Lima. Photo / File

Kevin Fallon, assistant coach of the 1982 team which beat China in a playoff match to qualify in New Zealand's first World Cup, said Peru was the favourite today but New Zealand was "definitely in the game".

"I think in the first game it was a fabulous performance," he said.

"The game is well coached and managed, and if you have as good a day as that, then you never know.

"If we can just get one goal on the board, then they need to get two to win. It's not an impossible situation."