Soccer: All Whites look for positives in embarrassing loss

Danny Hay

Blackburn Rovers 5 All Whites 0

Smarting from the worst result in his 11-game tenure as All Whites coach, Ricki Herbert was still able to take something from the 5-0 hammering handed out by English Premier side Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park yesterday.

He acknowledged that to have any hope of competing at this level the All Whites simply could not afford to be under-strength or under-done.

"We counted up before the game and realised there were 16 players who would have been first choice - or very close to it - that were not here," said Herbert after the game. "Then, to make matters worse, we lost Tony Lochhead to a stomach virus on the morning of the match."

Herbert refused to let the no-shows be used as an excuse for the embarrassing loss.

"Three of the goals they scored were gifted to them," said Herbert. "Simple as that. These players are going to make mistakes. We saw that today.

"Losing Tony Lochhead was really disappointing. It was not just what he brings as a left back but the combination he had with Chris James in the game with Charlton was a big part of our game.

"Instead, I had to shuffle the dice again and with the limited resources, our options were limited.

"It was a tough game - as hard as we have had in my time as coach. From a playing perspective I was disappointed in what I saw from some players."

Asked whether that meant some players were now out of World Cup contention, Herbert said, "yes, a couple would be in that position".

Herbert declined to name names but did give pass marks to three of his younger players with Jarrod Smith, Andy Barron and Tim Brown winning approval.

"They dug deep and battled away winning a lot of tackles."

On captain Danny Hay's return? "For long periods he coped very well. He has come through the game well and will lead the team in Seville."

Herbert hinted there will be changes for the last game of the three-match tour early on Wednesday morning with goalkeeper James Bannatyne and Andrew Boyens - the only players yet to play - to get some game time. Brent Fisher and Chris Killen, who join the squad for the first time, will start.

Herbert said the players were as disappointed as anybody. "They all want to be in the World Cup squad and now realise just how important their next game is."

From the time new recruit Benni McCarthy put the home side ahead after 15 minutes, there was only one team in it.

Steven Reid's cracking 28th minute strike ensured a handy 2-0 halftime lead for Blackburn. Full of running and with a slick passing game, Blackburn ran the All Whites ragged.

The second half was more of the same. The visitors fell further behind within two minutes of the restart when McCarthy added his second. Another newcomer, Jason Roberts, completed the scoring with his first goal in the 65th and a second in stoppage time.

The All Whites had limited attacking opportunities but Raf de Gregorio, Barron and Campbell Banks did test the Blackburn defence and forced Brad Friedel to make a couple of saves.

"For small parts of the game we did okay, said Herbert. But we just didn't look as good as we did against Charlton."