Soccer: Vicelich gets his chance to lead

Ivan Vicelich will captain the All Whites against English premier side Charlton Athletic at The Valley early tomorrow morning.

Vicelich, who will play his 58th game for the national side since his debut in January 1995, has also been switched back to a central defensive role in place of injured captain and centre-back Danny Hay. It is a rare opportunity for Vicelich, still one of New Zealand's highest-rated players.

Coach Ricki Herbert said he hoped Hay would have recovered from his calf injury to play against Blackburn Rovers in a week, especially as Vicelich was available only for the Charlton match.

"Ivan is the sort of guy who will respond to this [the captaincy]," said Herbert. "As far as him playing back in defence I'm quite happy. He does well wherever he plays. There is not a lot of difference between playing central defence or the holding midfield role he has played for us recently."

Most interest will centre on Chris James in his first start at this level. His only previous experience came with a few minutes late in the game against Brazil in June.

James, 18, who played 29 age-group games for England, needed a Fifa clearance to play for New Zealand - his country of birth. He is now at premier club Fulham and joins a new-look, young midfield for this match.

Herbert has been forced to make a number of changes but rather than that being a bad thing, he sees it as a chance for players to press their claims for a spot in next year's World Cup squad.

"Around 29 or 30 players will have pulled on an All Whites shirt this year by the time these three matches are over. It is probably fair to say less than half of the players we have here now will make the cut for the World Cup.

"While these are three important games, it is just as much about having a close look at a number of players.

"I've been delighted - but certainly not surprised - with everything I've seen from the players here. We have talked to the players and they are aware of how important these games are.

"For some it will be their last chance to press their claims. This tour is about individual performances. I have told the players they might have to be selfish to do that. Beyond these matches, the only other games we have confirmed are two home games against Tahiti in February.

"After that I would expect to name a squad of about 24-25 players for the Cup."

Charlton coach Iain Dowie is expected to name his very best lineup for the match, which follows three losses in four pre-season matches so far.

Yesterday he promised to unleash his "big guns", including former Chelsea favourite Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank on New Zealand.

"I would think you'll see them all," said Dowie. "From my point of view this will be a good test for us and maybe a gauge of where some of your younger, emerging talent are at."

Said Herbert: "It will be their best team absolutely. That's what we wanted. There seems to be some real interest in the game, and given it is their only home game in pre-season, there is an expectation the crowd could be pretty close to the 25,000 capacity. After they play us they are off to Belgium."

Herbert has named a reasonably predictable lineup in a 4-4-2 formation with Shane Smeltz and Campbell Banks to carry the attacking responsibility. The midfield, with Jarrod Smith on the right, Tim Brown, Andy Barron and James on the left, faces a testing time.

Vicelich has Steven Old as his defensive partner with James Pritchett (right) and Tony Lochhead as fullbacks.

New New Zealand Knights signing Mark Paston plays in goal with James Bannatyne, who left a Canadian holiday to join the team yesterday, joining Michael Wilson, Andy Boyens, Jeff Fleming, Raf de Gregorio and Paul Urlovic on the bench.

The Team

All Whites to play Charlton Athletic, 2am (NZ time) tomorrow at The Valley:

Mark Paston, James Pritchett, Ivan Vicelich (c), Steven Old, Tony Lochhead, Jarrod Smith, Tim Brown, Andy Barron, Chris James, Shane Smeltz, Campbell Banks.
Substitutes: James Bannatyne, Michael Wilson, Andy Boyens, Jeff Fleming, Raf de Gregorio, Paul Urlovic.