Soccer: All Whites feeling right at home

Defender Andy Boyens signs a young fan's shirt after the All Whites' training session at Kristin School yesterday. Photo / Paul Harper

The All Whites are relishing the opportunity to play in front of their supporters in the coming days to thank them for their support during the side's unbeaten Football World Cup run.

The team enjoyed a good turnout at a public training session at Kristin School on Auckland's North Shore and captain Ryan Nelsen is expecting the same for the two upcoming friendlies.

Nelsen proved the most popular with the hordes of school children eager to get autographs of their heroes.

"It's really cool," Nelsen said. "Obviously it is really fun training with all the New Zealand fans and friends and that here.

"Things have changed, when I first came out to the New Zealand team there were a few dogs that used to watch and that was about it.

"The support is brilliant - it's amazing. Hopefully we can put in some good performances."

Nelsen dismissed talk of poor ticket sales for tomorrow's game against Honduras at North Harbour Stadium and Tuesday's clash with Paraguay at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

"I'll be really surprised if it is not sold out on Saturday. It is already looking really good. The same with Wellington.

"I think once the players are here - there hasn't been much advertising - but once the players are here and people start to come and see what is going on, there'll be good crowds."

Coach Ricki Herbert echoed the skipper's sentiments.

"I think they (ticket sales) have really started to ramp up in the last 24-hours, which is good. And who knows, that is something we can't control but hopefully we get a decent amount of people there."

"[The crowd's support] is always important, I think you saw that down in Wellington when we played Bahrain. It was just a fantastic night with great support. Hopefully we see that on Saturday and next Tuesday down at Westpac."

Herbert was pleased with the turnout to the public training session.

"You kind of sense that right around the country that there is a lot of excitement with children getting involved in the game. And I think for them to have their heroes back in their own country - it's pretty special. We haven't been back here in a long time.

"I think we'll give as many players the chance to play at home and thank a lot of people for that. But [they will need] probably some stability around the first game. We've only had a couple of light sessions today and people have travelling from all around the world so there is not a lot we can do. So we probably won't change too much."

Herbert hopes to give everyone in the squad a run over the two games.

"Like I say to them, I never promise anything, but hopefully we can do this time."

While two good results would see New Zealand continue to climb the Fifa world rankings, Herbert maintains the games are a chance to celebrate the team's remarkable World Cup achievements.

"Look, I think it is just another game. All the players are back, I think it is good off the back of the World Cup, so soon after the World Cup. Good to be back in front of the public who were just amazingly supportive of the team whilst we were in South Africa."

Although a few players may well be turning out for their last games in the white jersey, Herbert believes most of the squad will be part of the campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

"There's not too many that fall into that category. There's probably about 75 per cent of this group that are capable and certainly good enough to move forward to another World Cup campaign.

Herbert is optimistic the team will qualify again.

"Certainly what has happened over the past four years ... we've proven that it is possible. And I think with the right planning and preparation we could be a good shot to achieve that again."