Soccer: Two spots left in All Whites squad

David Mulligan has done enough to convince All Whites Coach Ricki Herbert he deserves to go to the World Cup. Photo / Dean Purcell

The names Jeremy Brockie and David Mulligan will be added to the All Whites' 23-man World Cup squad, leaving two spots still up for grabs.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert will name his squad tomorrow. He has said 19 had been locked in before the present domestic camp for Australasian-based players but that now stands at 21.

The other two spots will be decided after today's match against the NZFC All Stars at North Harbour Stadium but it's unlikely to include a fourth goalkeeper. That means Aaron Clapham, Cole Peverley, Chad Coombes and Aaron Scott appear to be battling it out for the final two places.

Herbert had considered taking an additional goalkeeper because Glen Moss is suspended for the first two matches at the World Cup and the All Whites would be in a spot of bother if either Mark Paston or James Bannatyne were injured.

"I don't think we will take a fourth goalkeeper," Herbert said. "My only concern is the logistics of getting someone from here to South Africa."

Fifa rules allow five players to be on standby so it wouldn't be inconceivable for Jacob Spoonley to be taken to South Africa in case of an emergency.

Brockie and Mulligan, though, have done enough to convince Herbert they deserve a place at the World Cup. Brockie seemed out of the picture when he broke his leg playing for North Queensland in the A-League in January but he has recovered well and impressed over the past 10 days.

He can play both up front and wide, which will be valuable if Herbert opts to play three strikers like he did in the home-and-away playoffs with Bahrain.

"Jeremy's only concern was medically but he's trained the house down," Herbert said. "He got 45 minutes last weekend [against Auckland City, when he scored in the 5-1 victory] and will get more on Sunday. I kind of think he could be No 20."

Mulligan has been the centre of considerable debate and speculation since the All Whites qualified last November.

The 28-year-old hasn't played a competitive game of club football since August 2008 and was recently cut from the Wellington Phoenix. He was also exposed by Spain and South Africa playing at right back at last year's Confederations Cup.

But, like Brockie, Mulligan has been a standout over the past 10 days and has defined himself as a central midfielder who can play fullback.

"I feel sorry for him with all the debate around his position," Herbert said. "He's a professional footballer who hasn't got in the team [at the Phoenix]. It just so happens I have made those decisions.

"The only reason I released him [from the Phoenix] is that if he continues to be a national player, it's no good him not playing. He needs to get another contract.

"But unless I find someone better than David, why would I change? He's really good in the environment and understands his role."

Today's game looms as a big one for a number of other players, including Costa Barbarouses, Jason Hayne, James Pritchett, Allan Pearce and Spoonley but the biggest spotlight will fall on Clapham, Peverley, Coombes and Scott.

Clapham has made a late run for a World Cup spot on the back of his form for Canterbury United but questions remain about his ability to do that at a higher level. Peverley has courted little attention, despite the fact he was among the 15-man All Whites training squad, but he has a real chance of claiming one of the last spots for the World Cup. He's a steady central midfielder and, at 21, has a promising All Whites future ahead of him.

One of the only things counting against him, though, is the fact New Zealand are well served in the middle of the park with Tim Brown, Andy Barron, Simon Elliott, Mulligan and Michael McGlinchey.

Scott is hanging on by a thread. The right back has been usurped by the promising Tim Myers at Waitakere United and, with Winston Reid and Tommy Smith having made themselves available for New Zealand since qualification, places at the back are virtually filled.

Coombes is still in the frame, especially as he made his debut as a right wing-back against Mexico in March and was tidy playing for Auckland City against the All Whites last Saturday.

"I think we are still struggling to find a right fullback," Herbert said. "If one or two players make the cut, it will be because we feel there might be someone who can do that role. With Tommy and Winston coming in late, it has caused a selection dilemma - but a good one. "Winston could play at right-back, but I don't know that yet. If there's not a right-sided fullback, then I'm not going to take one. There's no point, not with the depth and talent we have in defence now."

TWO TO GO

Locked in

Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne, Glen Moss, Mark Paston.

Defenders: Andy Boyens, Tony Lochhead, Ryan Nelsen, Winston Reid, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith, Ivan Vicelich.

Midfielders: Andy Barron, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Simon Elliott, Michael McGlinchey, David Mulligan.

Strikers: Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood, Jeremy Brockie.

The Contenders

Costa Barbarouses
Position: Striker.
Pros: Skilful player who can run at defenders. At just 20, he has a bright future in the game.
Cons: Little football over the past two years with the Wellington Phoenix. Small in stature, small on experience.
Chances: Possible.

Chad Coombes
Position: Fullback, midfield.
Pros: Can play anywhere from fullback to up front. Not overawed by big occasion - was decent against good opposition (Mexico) in his only international and impressive for Auckland City at last year's Club World Cup. Combative player.
Cons: Suffers white-line fever which gets him in trouble. Not really tested at the highest level.
Chances: Possible.

Steven Old
Position: Defender:
Pros: Central defender who has been playing right back for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League. At 24, he is at an age worth investing in.
Cons: Never really convinced in 20 internationals and prone to making mistakes.
Chances: Unlikely.

Aaron Clapham
Position: midfield.
Pros: Exciting and skilful ball-player who propelled Canterbury to last month's NZFC final. Can make things happen.
Cons: Can do it at domestic level but can he do it on the world's biggest stage?
Chances: 50/50.

Jason Hayne
Position: Midfield.
Pros: Has genuine pace and his two goals at last year's Club World Cup shows he knows where the onion bag is.
Cons: No international experience other than two days in All Whites camp before the Mexico game.
Chances: Unlikely.


Cole Peverley
Position: Midfield.
Pros: Solid holding midfielder who has come through age-group football. Rated highly by Herbert. Another at a good age (21) who has potential for the future.
Cons: With Brown, Elliott, Barron and Mulligan, they are well-covered with holding midfielders.
Chances: 50/50.

Aaron Scott
Position: Fullback.
Pros: Impressed in the All Whites' 0-0 draw with Iraq at last year's Confederations Cup. Solid defender who reads the game well.
Cons: Little recent football after being usurped as a starter at Waitakere United by promising youngster Tim Myers. Lacking in confidence.
Chances: Unlikely.