Soccer: No option but to hoof it and hope

The All Whites will send a lot of ball Rory Fallon's way against the Italians. Photo / Brett Phibbs

JOHANNESBURG: The All Whites' main tactic sounds simple enough. Get the ball in the air and let Rory Fallon start knocking the ball and defenders about and see what comes out of the carnage.

In reality, it will be anything but simple against Italy, who have long been regarded as the smartest defenders in the game, a team with a history of squeezing the life out of opponents far better than New Zealand.

The All Whites have little option though, because all their creativity in the midfield comes from the two clever feet of Simon Elliott, who sits deep.

Tim Brown, in the unlikely event that he returns, is more renowned for making runs into opposing penalty boxes rather than creating much for his strikers.

And the new midfield option, Ivan Vicelich, also parks in front of his defenders where he will be expected to do a lot of the "dirty work" for Elliott.

Little Michael McGlinchey, when given the chance, can bring the ball forward but Ricki Herbert appears reluctant to use him and has substituted Vicelich with the defensive-minded Jeremy Christie against Slovakia.

Which brings us back to the long-angled ball, aimed primarily at Fallon.

The ploy has been fairly successful, although these All Whites don't bag hatfuls of goals. More importantly, it is a case of cutting your cloth to fit.

The national side will not always have a 1.9m target man such as Fallon, but while he's there, the aerial route - as it is so often called - is a productive option.

Next issue: the delivery of the ball. Elliott has the most regular and best touch in this department.

For all of his skill, right wingback Leo Bertos struggles to get into the necessary positions and provide quality deliveries.

Tony Lochhead had a couple of Minties moments against Slovakia, but did get a couple of crosses in.

Italy, though, are a huge step up from Slovakia because New Zealand are unlikely to see so much of the ball.

However, two free kicks (and a penalty) brought goals against Italy in South Africa last year.

On taking the high road to goal against an Italian side who might be vulnerable there, Herbert said: "It would be silly not to think we can target that. But we've got to get the ball into the front third to win the free kicks and corners."

Another option is to push Tommy Smith forward in place of Lochhead.

While the personnel may change the strategy will remain the same. The All Whites have no other choices.