Terry Maddaford: All Whites need big step up for qualifiers

Yesterday's galling 2-0 loss to under-pressure South Africa has done nothing for the All Whites' confidence before World Cup qualifiers later this year.

Their wish to avoid North Korea for those home-and-away playoffs was granted with yesterday's results in the final Asian qualifying round all in their favour, but the challenge is still great.

Neither Bahrain nor Saudi Arabia, who, in September, will play off for the right to meet New Zealand as the fifth-best in Asia, will be easy beats - especially if New Zealand continue to play as they have in their two Confederation Cup matches.

For coach Ricki Herbert and assistant Brian Turner the results have been gut-wrenching.

In five matches on tour - friendlies against Tanzania, Botswana and Italy and the real deal of the Confederations Cup losses to Spain and South Africa - the All Whites have scored four goals. All from set play. Two penalties, one from a corner and one from a free kick.

From open play - nothing, zilch. And few shots in anger.

Defensively, too, the All Whites have been painfully exposed, with only man-of-the-match efforts from goalkeeper Glen Moss preserving some dignity.

That Simon Elliott, the oldest on the pitch in both matches, was the standout outfield player for New Zealand in both Cup matches also tells a story.

He has had regular football for San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS. Too many of his teammates have spent more time on the sideline than in action. And it has shown.

Herbert faces a real challenge in the World Cup qualifiers. He needs players who are on the pitch regularly.

That New Zealand, should they win through to World Cup 2010, could face a team such as Australia does not bear thinking about at the moment.

The Socceroos went through their eight matches in second-phase Asian qualifying unbeaten, conceding just one goal - in their last outing, the dead rubber with Japan.

New Zealand and Australia, at this time, are light years apart. To close the gap, even fractionally, New Zealand must lift their game, find players who are passionate and committed.

More importantly, they must score goals, show that they do understand what is required defensively and give Herbert and Turner 90 minutes of honest endeavour.

A tall ask perhaps, but without it, forget it.