Soccer: World Cup squad coming together

New Zealand's James Pritchett and Sevilla's Adriano Correia race for the ball during the friendly in Seville. Picture / Reuters

Ricki Herbert will return to New Zealand at the end of the month convinced he knows 20 of the 25 players he expects to feature in next year's World Cup qualifying campaign.

The first real indication of Herbert's thinking will come when he names a squad for two home matches against Tahiti in February. But even those matches could be shrouded in mystery.

While one will be played in a designated Fifa window - which means Herbert has the right to call on any player he wants - the other falls outside the stipulated period. That could present a problem.

"I have to consider whether it is worth bringing a player all the way back from Europe for one match," said Herbert from Seville after watching the All Whites tumble 5-1 to FC Sevilla yesterday.

"But I am certain at some stage - and sooner rather than later - we must have the chance to put out what we consider our best 11 players."

That is something he has not been able to do in 11 matches this year.

English premier league players Ryan Nelsen and Simon Elliott have not, through injury or unavailability, pulled on the national shirt in any of those matches.

Others have also been restricted to just token appearances.

"I am looking for between four and six games after Tahiti and before the World Cup qualifiers in October/November," said Herbert.

"I will be sitting down with Graham [NZ Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter] to work through things. Next year will be about seeing the best players on the park."

But whether that will be in New Zealand or elsewhere remains a moot point. Given the results this year, Herbert is convinced the national side is seen as a worthy opponent. That, he is sure, will be in New Zealand Soccer's favour in their search for pre-World Cup matches.

"Every game we played this year, apart from the two against Malaysia in New Zealand, were against teams either ranked way above us or, in the case of the three we have had on this tour, against club sides who in their own right are ahead of us too.

"Of the eight games we played against international opponents, we got a result in four.

"We have to take something from that, especially in the win over Georgia which was the first ever by the national side in Europe."

Getting the mix right remains a priority for Herbert as he prepares to name the 25 squad members for the Cup campaign.

"If you allow that around 12 or 13 of the 16 players we did not have available this time are going to make it, that means about the same number will come from the group we have here.

"Every player here was determined to do his best and show he was dedicated to making the Cup squad. I sat down with every player on the morning of the last game and set the benchmark of what was needed and expected. "Our players are never going to be as good as the players we came up against but that will not stop them trying."

Against FC Sevilla, Herbert admits the All Whites were again punished for "a couple of sloppy mistakes" adding quickly, "what a side. They [Sevilla] would be one of the better sides I have ever seen.

"This was our toughest game of the year. And that is reflected a bit in the score.

"You could not help but be impressed. They had a scattering of top players from different parts of Europe. Their athleticism and ability was amazing.

"Our players were thrown into the lion's den but still managed to hit the back of the net, albeit from a penalty."

Ernesto Javier Chevanton, Sevilla's new €8.5 million ($17 million) signing from Monaco, opened the scoring after 26 minutes. He added two in the second half.

His first came when a simple through ball split central defenders Danny Hay and Steven Old.

The home side went further ahead in the 34th minute when Old was hesitant and stabbed his clearance to Chevanton.

Goalkeeper James Bannatyne smothered the initial shot but could do nothing as Luis Fabiano headed the rebound into the empty net.

Chevanton looped a header over Bannatyne for 3-0 on the hour and Daniel Alves volleyed home two minutes later.

Chris James got one back from the penalty spot in the 65th minute after a defender had handled in attempting to clear a James corner.

Chevanton completed the scoring, and his hat-trick, eight minutes from time.