KEY POINTS:
The All Whites are risking indecent exposure but coach Ricki Herbert says now is the best time to get caught with your pants down.
For the first time in his 13-match reign as coach of the national side, Herbert will employ a back three instead of the standard
back four.
"I've always been keen to try it and thought there will be no better opportunity than the first game of the season," Herbert told the Herald on Sunday.
Che Bunce, captain Danny Hay and Steven Old will man the defence in San Jose this afternoon against Costa Rica, the world's 50th-ranked team.
The untried combination - with Hay in the role of libero - are poised to start behind a midfield five, with Noah Hickey and Tony Lochhead on the flanks ahead of holding midfielders Tim Brown and Ivan Vicelich, and Leo Bertos in a more advanced role.
The striking duties will fall to Jeremy Brockie, in his first start for the national side, and Shane Smeltz. It is a striking duo with a combined total of one international goal.
Herbert hopes the bulked-up midfield will give the All Whites more width in attack, with Lochhead and Hickey asked to get more crosses into the box, but it presents challenges at the back.
"You have the potential to be exposed by diagonal balls in behind the three but, like every system, you try to limit the weaknesses and maximise the positives.
"But it is an experiment and we'll be a little bit in the dark in terms of what Costa Rica will do."
Although he hates to admit it so explicitly, the result of this match is largely secondary.
"I'm not one to dismiss results but at the end of the day, what I'm concerned about is World Cup qualifying. For me, this game is all about personal performances and how players accept their roles."
Herbert will be monitoring closely the compatibility of certain combinations and the striking pair will come under the microscope.
"We've been left in a hole up front with Vaughan Coveny's recent decision to retire and Chris Killen's injury but what an opportunity for these young guys," he said.
With competition for places fierce in midfield - Simon Elliott would be an automatic selection if fit - Herbert said turning Brockie into a full-time striker was "an avenue we will pursue".
They have striking cover on the bench in the form of Jarrod Smith and Chris James. The All Whites meet Venezuela on Thursday and will travel to Europe in late May to play Wales and Ukraine.
Likely team: Mark Paston, Che Bunce, Danny Hay (captain), Steven Old, Tim Brown, Ivan Vicelich, Noah Hickey, Tony Lochhead, Leo Bertos, Shane Smeltz, Jeremy Brockie. Substitutes: Glen Moss, Kris Bouckenooghe, Jeremy Christie, Andy Barron, Chris James, Jarrod Smith.
* Manawatu will have to overcome a poor record against the two Auckland clubs to win the NZFC title.
Manawatu host Auckland City today at 3pm, with the winner advancing to face Waitakere United in the final.
Since beating Auckland 1-0 in October, Manawatu have failed to win in five games against City and Waitakere. Auckland won 5-3 when they last played Manawatu in late January.