Soccer: All Whites to face Georgia and Estonia

Georgia and Estonia will be New Zealand's soccer opponents in the leadup to their dream date with Brazil in June.

New Zealand Soccer today confirmed the official Fifa "A" internationals today as part of a two-week European tour which culminates in the All Whites' June 4 friendly against World Cup favourites Brazil in Geneva.

Georgia, who are ranked 101st in the latest world rankings, have agreed to a May 27 match at a venue to be confirmed.

The 120th-ranked All Whites will then meet Estonia in Tallinn on May 31 before heading to Switzerland.

It will be New Zealand's second trip to Tallinn in four years after Noah Hickey and Aaran Lines scored in the All Whites' 2-3 loss to Estonia in October 2002.

Estonia have slipped 12 places since that match, to 79th in the latest Fifa rankings.

Herbert, who was All Whites assistant coach in 2002, believed the Georgia and Estonia games were "ideal" preparation ahead of the Brazil match, arguably New Zealand's biggest game since the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain.

Estonia were fourth in their World Cup qualifying group while Georgia were sixth in a tough group headed by qualifiers Ukraine and Turkey.

"The big challenges keep coming don't they," Herbert said.

"That game against Estonia in 2002 was tough and I'm sure it'll be the same against Georgia. They'll both play a really tough, European style, tough to break down and defensively very, very good.

"It's completely different to what we've just experienced in Chile so it'll be as nice contrast. It'll be a big test but it's the level we must keep aspiring to -- it'll be good for us."

Herbert has asked for club releases by May 10 and plans to name his 20-man squad for the three-match tour on Monday, May 15.

Herbert will have to do without Ryan Nelsen as the Blackburn Rovers' defender will be sidelined for a month after fracturing his left fibula against Charlton Athletic on Monday (NZ time).

New Zealand suffered twin losses to Chile in South America last month, 1-4 and 0-1.

New Zealand's tour schedule:

May 27: v Georgia, tba
May 31: v Estonia, Tallinn
June 4: v Brazil, Geneva

- NZPA