Soccer: Chile confirmed for All Whites

The All Whites will get to have a final pre-World Cup hitout against a strong South American side. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand's soccer World Cup preparations will wind up with a friendly against Chile in South Africa two days before the finals start, New Zealand Football confirmed today.

The teams will meet behind closed doors on June 9 at Nelspruit, where Chile will be based during the June 11-July 11 finals, at their base camp training venue Ingwenyama Sports Grounds. The match is likely to be played behind in three 30 minute periods.

"I think we've got some really good fixtures lined up leading into our arrival in South Africa so something a bit more informal will be an ideal opportunity to finalise our build-up," All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said.

"We may tinker with positions and personnel, but we aim to be heading into the opening game against Slovakia with all those bases covered and players fully aware of what they need to do."

New Zealand's lead-in to the World Cup began earlier this month when they met Mexico in Pasadena in California, losing 0-2 after holding the Mexicans scoreless in the first half.

Their other confirmed build-up matches are against Serbia in Klagenfurt, Austria, on May 30, and Slovenia in Maribor on June 4.

Herbert also has planned a camp in Auckland from April 28-May 10 for his Australasian-based players. "There will be some players there who are definitely going to the World Cup and who are still being considered for places in the final squad of 23 so the camp gives us the chance to look at some players while keeping everyone at the level they need to be at," Herbert said.

The full squad - including British-based stars like Ryan Nelsen, Chris Killen and Rory Fallon - will assemble in New Zealand in mid-May at the end of their club commitments.

The All Whites then clash with Australia for the first time in five years in Melbourne on May 24 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After that match, the All Whites head to Europe and then on to South Africa.

They open their World Cup campaign against Slovakia in Rustenburg on June 15. Their remaining pool matches are against defending champions Italy on June 20 in Nelspruit, then Paraguay on June 24 in Polokwane.

Chile meet Honduras on June 16 in their opening Group H match. They also face favourites Spain and Switzerland.

Chile, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, had games against North Korea and Costa Rica on March 3 cancelled after February's devastating earthquake. Two friendlies have been since scheduled against Venezuela in late March 31, with further friendlies confirmed away to Mexico on May 16 and at home to Israel in late May.

- NZPA