KEY POINTS:
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has put his players on notice as he prepares for this morning's clash with world No 74 Venezuela in Maracaibo.
After what has been seen as a failed experiment in playing a three-man defence against Costa Rica on Sunday, Herbert has rung the
changes for the tour-ender.
Che Bunce, Jeremy Brockie and Tim Brown have been dropped from the starting XI in San Jose to the bench. With a now four-man defence, Noah Hickey and Tony Lochhead will fall back to play more conventional fullback roles allowing recently arrived David Mulligan to join Ivan Vicelich and promoted Andy Barron in the heart of the midfield.
Leo Bertos and Chris James, who forced his way into the starting line-up after a strong showing as a substitute against Costa Rica, take the over-lapping roles.
Initially, Shane Smeltz will carry the central attacking responsibility.
Herbert, who is close to naming his team for matches against Wales and Ukraine and beyond that the World Cup squad, made it clear yesterday this game is probably the last opportunity for some players.
Still hurting from the 4-0 loss to the Central Americans four days ago, Herbert reminded his players the next team he puts out will, injuries permitting, be his first choice selection.
"We need a raft of players to step up after Sunday's game," said Herbert. "It was a tough night for the players. A lot of reasons compounded to produce that result."
Asked if the back-three defensive formation was out, Herbert said he would like the chance to try it again.
"We wanted to try it sometime. I was not disappointed with it, more a case of being disappointed with individual performances."
He also expressed some concerns about the fitness of some players. Some players had had little match play but he was reluctant to acknowledge that should be seen as acceptable and a reason for the poor showing.
The defensive frailties exposed by the Costa Ricans bothered him.
"The defensive responsibilities are under the microscope from an accountability point of view," said Herbert. "They have to deliver.
"This will not be easy. We have watched a tape of the 2-0 win they scored here at home over Sweden. They absolutely dominated that game and for me, they are a better team than Costa Rica.
"It will again be difficult for us to get the ball," said Herbert. "And when we do have it we have to be smarter with it. We have also talked long and hard about denying them space.
"On the positive side, the players worked very well at the stadium today. I could not fault their attitude. It was one of the better sessions I have had in my three years with the team."
Missing from that training was yet-to-arrive substitute goalkeeper James Bannatyne. He was brought in from New Zealand as cover for Glen Moss who has been sidelined by an elbow injury in training before the Costa Rica match but has remained with the team to receive treatment.
Venezuela v NZ
*Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo
*Today 11am, live on Sky Sport 1.
*All Whites: Mark Paston, Noah Hickey, Danny Hay , Steven Old, Tony Lochhead, Leo Bertos, David Mulligan, Ivan Vicelich, Andy Barron, Chris James, Shane Smeltz. Substitutes: James Bannatyne, Che Bunce, Kris Bouckenooghe, Jeremy Christie, Tim Brown, Jeremy Brockie, Jarrod Smith.