Soccer: All Whites' stars find scoring form

Shane Smeltz. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand players have struck rich goal-scoring form ahead of Saturday's much-anticipated World Cup eliminator against Bahrain in Wellington.

The charge was led by captain Ryan Nelsen who scored his first goal of the season - and only his second in 123 appearances - as Blackburn Rovers beat Portsmouth 3-1 in English Premier League action. Earlier Nelsen had set up Jason Roberts for Rovers' equaliser after Pompey had taken a 1-0 halftime lead at Ewood Park.

Within a couple of hours, Nelsen had left the UK on a flight to New Zealand for the most important game of his international career.

He will be joined over the next 24 hours by the other 17 members of Ricki Herbert's All Whites squad with strikers Shane Smeltz and Rory Fallon also flying in after scoring for their clubs in weekend action.

Fallon side-footed home from eight metres after 70 minutes as Plymouth Argyle beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1 for their fourth win of the season, moving them out of the relegation zone in England's Championship League. Fallon impressed in keeping his composure to grab the winner.

Smeltz returned to his goal-scoring best with his 37th-minute header getting Gold Coast United home 1-0 over Hyundai A-League leaders Sydney FC at Skilled Park.

Herbert is happy that his national squad players have come through weekend action for their clubs unscathed and will have a full turnout for tomorrow's 4.30pm training session.

All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner, who watched the brave Phoenix come-from-behind 1-1 draw with Perth Glory at Westpac Stadium yesterday, said all the players will be fit and available for selection ahead of Saturday's match.

"[Goalkeeper] Mark Paston didn't play against Perth more as a precautionary measure than anything else," said Turner. "He will be fine. He just needs a little more treatment on his hip but he will be ready to train on Tuesday."

Paston left the field a week ago in the 3-1 A-League loss to Sydney FC after injuring his hip.

"All the players will be here by Tuesday and all will be ready to train at 4.30," said Turner. "Michael McGlinchey failed a late fitness test for Central Coast on Saturday, but he will be okay."

McGlinchey, who impressed as a substitute in the first leg against Bahrain, had a slight ankle injury.

All Whites Tony Lochhead and Tim Brown both gave solid 90-minute performances for the Phoenix, while Ivan Vicelich and Aaron Scott impressed for Auckland City in the O-League victory over AS Magenta.

Meanwhile, Bahrain rounded off their preparations with a 5-1 win over Togo in Manama on Friday. It was an impressive effort from world No 61 Bahrain who raced away against the Africans who are ranked 80 on the Fifa list. New Zealand are ranked 83.