Ricki Herbert. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The New Zealand A football side were beaten 1-0 by Jordan at North Harbour Stadium tonight but the real prize is a spot in Ricki Herbert's squad for November's high-stakes World Cup playoff.
The match was something of a trial for a New Zealand side made up of largely domestically-based players. There aren't many vacancies in the All Whites but enough for a handful of players to push hard for spots.
Herbert wouldn't have resolved many issues from this performance. Jordan scored inside the first three minutes when the impressive Oday Alsaify poked the ball past Jacob Spoonley and then looked reasonably comfortable before the game lost shape as the changes came.
They were that much quicker with their ball movement and broke more quickly but were also well organised and patient and would have got enough out of the match ahead of next week's crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia _ a win would put them on the brink of automatic qualification.
New Zealand A had their moments. Tyler Boyd and Louis Fenton looked lively down the right - the left offered little - and Andrew Durante and Ivan Vicelich were solid at the back but Herbert already knew that and he's not really looking for wingers, strikers and centre-backs - although that might change if Durante's international clearance doesn't come through.
Herbert is hoping to find a quality centre midfielder to partner Michael McGlinchey and a right-back.
He saw little to suggest Jeremy Christie, Jake Butler and Aaron Clapham are the answer in the middle of the park. Too often they got the ball but, instead of looking forward, took the safe option and played the ball back to a defender.
It meant New Zealand A had plenty of possession but they didn't usually do much with it. The best options were Fenton and Boyd, who were at least prepared to take players on and look to create.
Clapham, who was the best of the centre midfield trio but who never seems to do enough to truly convince at this level, had the best chance for New Zealand A when he met a near-post cross but stabbed it wide.
"We gave them a good game,'' New Zealand A coach Neil Emblen said. "Did we create much? Not really, but they know they have been in a game. We tried to play and we were just thrown together. The performance was pleasing and one sloppy goal has made it a defeat rather than a draw.
"The All Whites squad over the last few fixtures has sort of picked itself. You are always looking to grow and get better. This game was an opportunity for players to show if they are better than ones already in possession of the shirt. That was important and I think a few lads put their hands up.''
In reality, it was a decent result against a side ranked 77 in the world, especially as some hadn't played in couple of months, and there were some good signs for the future. What New Zealand are looking for, however, is the present.
New Zealand A 0 Jordan (Oday Alsaify 3). HT: 0-1.