Ricki Herbert says the 17th-ranked Mexicans will be a big ask but he has confidence in his All Whites. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Almost 30 years after Ricki Herbert made his international debut against Mexico, he will come up against the Central American giants again - this time as a coach.
New Zealand Football yesterday confirmed Herbert's All Whites will play the world 17th-ranked Mexicans in a World Cup warm-up on March 3.
The match, at the Pasadena Rose Bowl - the site of the 1994 World Cup final - will be the first hit-out for both teams since the 2010 World Cup draw was made in South Africa this month.
"Playing Mexico will be a big ask," Herbert said. "But we have faced some pretty daunting opposition in the past. I have pitted this team against higher-rated teams than Mexico."
Herbert said that given the timing of the fixture and the accessibility of the venue, he was confident all his players will be available.
"We have a legal right to ask for the players to be released by their clubs and I have already circulated information to the players and their managers," said Herbert. "We are hopeful all the players we want will be available."
As a World Cup-bound team, the All Whites had received a positive reception from other countries to approaches for warm-up games, Herbert said.
Mexico are seen as worthwhile opponents, given their style of play is not too dissimilar to that of Paraguay - the last of the All Whites' three opponents in pool play at the World Cup.
"We are certainly not dismissing South American or European teams in our search for other warm-up games," Herbert said. "As yet nothing is in place but I'm sure there will be opportunities for other games closer to the World Cup."
New Zealand soccer's only previous contact with Mexico - apart from being in Guadalajara for the 1999 Confederations Cup where the All Whites shared the fair play award with Brazil - was on August 20, 1980.
On that date, and with Herbert, Grant Turner, Keith "Buzzer" Mackay and John Hill on debut, New Zealand (they were not yet the All Whites) beat Mexico 4-0 to launch what became their successful 1982 World Cup bid.
