Football: Hudson era set to begin for NZF

Anthony Hudson. Photo / AP

A new era of All Whites football begins in the early hours of tomorrow morning with Anthony Hudson leading New Zealand for the first time against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

After enjoying an excellent preparation for his debut game in the New Zealand technical area at the Aspire Academy in Doha, Hudson said the first goals he had for the tour had been ticked off his list.

"I've learned about all the players here which was the main objective," Hudson said.

"It's given me a chance to get my ideas across and we've had a good base to be able to do that and in the time we've had to together I think we've got two or three ideas across that I hope we're going to see in the game."

Bringing those concepts to life during the live action is Hudson's next focus and, given the circumstances surrounding this particular match against an opponent ranked 51st in the world and third in Asia, the All Whites coach has set several benchmark objectives for the group over the 90 minutes at the Pakhtakor Stadium.

"Considering it's a new style of play being put in place and our first game is away from home, I want to see us organised and I want to see us strong and competitive. Beyond that, we've got to show what we can do."

Hudson, experienced in the landscape of the intensely competitive Asian Confederation after his previous role in Bahrain, said tomorrow's opposition - who accounted for Jordan 2-0 on Friday - posed exactly the type of challenge he and the All Whites need to meet head on under his tenure.

"They're very strong; they are one of the strongest teams in Asia. They are a very experienced team and they play a lot of games together and they are always there or thereabouts in looking to qualify for the World Cup.

"They have big crowds and the majority of their players play together in the league here. They are right in the middle of their preparation for the Asian Cup so it's an important game for them as well."

After being announced as the All Whites coach in early August, waiting for a work visa, now spending over a week in camp with the players, Hudson said he and his group were ready to do one thing: play.

"We've done a lot of work and now we're in Uzbekistan I think everyone wants to get the game underway. We've talked and talked and prepared and prepared and now it's about going out and doing it."

The game kicks off at 2am (NZT).

New Zealand (from): Glen Moss (GK), Winston Reid (capt), Ben Sigmund, Bill Tuiloma, Tyler Boyd, Michael McGlinchey, Tamati Williams (GK), Chris James, Joel Stevens, Storm Roux, Jeremy Brockie, Kosta Barbarouses, Tim Payne, Michael Boxall, Chris Wood, Cameron Howieson, Andrew Durante, Thomas Doyle.