Soccer: Familiar look to Herbert's cup quest

Ricki Herbert. Photo / NZPA

Ricki Herbert has stuck with the tried and tested as he seeks to get the All Whites' World Cup campaign on track after June's let-down in Honiara, where they blew the chance to play in next year's Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Captain Ryan Nelsen, who missed the Oceania Nations Cup, returns to lead the side against New Caledonia (away) and the Solomon Islands (home) and will be joined by West Ham's Winston Reid and US-based Dan Keat (LA Galaxy), who missed the Oceania tournament through injury.

Now fully aware of the danger posed by the island nations, Herbert has opted for his most experienced squad with all players having to be released by their clubs as the qualifying matches fall in Fifa windows.

The 20-strong squad includes seven of Herbert's Wellington Phoenix team who are now in India on an A-League pre-season tour - which started disastrously with three players, including All Whites defender Ben Sigmund, sent off in the 3-1 loss to Newcastle Jets on Saturday night.

Reid, who was in the West Ham team who kicked off their return to the English Premier League with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, is seen as vital to the All Whites' defence, which struggled at times in Honiara. He will be joined at the back by Tommy Smith, who stood in as captain in Nelsen's absence.

Smith helped Norwich draw 1-1 against Nelsen's old club Blackburn in the English Championship. Nelsen was on the bench for Queens Park Rangers, who lost 5-0 at home to Swansea City.

The fourth match of the campaign, on October 16 - the second leg of a double-header with Tahiti that month - is on track to be Nelsen's 50th A international.

Steeled after missing the Confederations Cup, Herbert said there was a hardened resolve to do better.

"There are no easy games in international football - we've proved that in recent years and also had a timely reminder of it in Honiara," said Herbert. "We need to be ruthless at home and clinical away during this campaign if we are serious about reaching a consecutive World Cup."

Meanwhile, the recent good run by the New Zealand women has pushed their ranking to 21 on the latest Fifa list - one place behind their highest position yet.

The New Zealand Under-20 team face hosts Japan in their World Cup tomorrow night aware a point could get them to the knockout stage. The Junior Football Ferns beat Switzerland 2-1 in Sunday's tournament opener in group A.

BID FOR BRAZIL

All Whites squad
Lineup for first two Fifa World Cup qualifiers:
Goalkeepers: Glen Moss, Mark Paston.
Defenders: Michael Boxall, Tony Lochhead, Ryan Nelsen (c), Winston Reid, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith, Ivan Vicelich.
Midfielders: Kosta Barbarouses, Leo Bertos, Jeremy Brockie, Dan Keat, Michael McGlinchey, Tim Payne, Marco Rojas.
Strikers: Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood.
Players on standby: Aaron Clapham, Jake Gleeson, Ian Hogg, Cameron Howieson, Michael O'Keefe.

All Whites' World Cup qualifiers
Oceania Stage Three
September 7: v New Caledonia
Noumea.
September 11: v Solomon Islands
North Harbour Stadium 7.35pm.
October 12: v Tahiti
Papeete.
October 16: v Tahiti
AMI Stadium, Christchurch 7.35pm.
March 22: v New Caledonia
Venue TBA.
March 26: v Solomon Islands
Honiara.