Changes likely as All Whites switch focus to Confederations Cup

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS – With progression to the OFC Nations Cup semi finals, and the next stage of World Cup qualifiers already confirmed, the All Whites are already looking ahead to their next target.

Ricki Herbert has signalled up to eight changes to his starting line up. www.photosport.co.nz

June 5, 2012

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS – With progression to the OFC Nations Cup semi finals, and the next stage of World Cup qualifiers already confirmed, the All Whites are already looking ahead to their next target.

On Wednesday, New Zealand face hosts Solomon Islands at Lawson Tama Stadium in front of a capacity crowd in a match the Solomon Islands need to at least draw to progress through to the semi finals.

By already reaching Friday’s semi finals, against either Tahiti or New Caledonia, the All Whites have booked their ticket to stage three of World Cup qualifiers – a four team round robin played in September, October and March – thus achieving the primary goal of the Solomon Islands sojourn.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is now reshuffling his pack to make sure the team is fit and refreshed for the knockout stages of a tournament that offers a place at the FIFA Confederations Cup to its champion.

“This is a hugely tough tournament so far,” said Herbert, “and it’s a good relief that we can look with certainty to plan the rest of the World Cup campaign.”

“We now go into two incredibly meaningful games in a semi final and hopefully through to the final so if we are good enough we will get some more international exposure at the Confederations Cup and that will be hugely beneficial for this squad.”

Herbert is likely to rest those who have had the heaviest workload throughout the first two games, including Ivan Vicelich, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz and Michael McGlinchey turning instead to his crop of younger players. Tony Lochhead, who received two yellow cards against Papua New Guinea is suspended for one game.

“We’re given real consideration to changing the side a lot,” said Herbert.

“Whether we top the group or finish second we have a semi final on Friday. Given the workload of some of the players there is a degree of fatigue around that core group and we could well rest up to seven or eight players.”

Herbert says it’s now an opportunity for those players handed starts to impress ahead of the knockout stages.

“Until you expose those players until these conditions you don’t really know how they will get through it.

“They may be a perception that there are players in the squad who should be out there but maybe these players can step up and make the decisions on semi finals spots difficult for me.”

After being rested himself against Fiji, Solomon Islands danger man Benji Totori will be fully charged to fire the host nation into the semi finals in front the Honiara faithful. The one-time Portland Timbers striker will be a familiar face to New Zealand fans through his record-breaking time at YoungHeart Manawatu and Waitakere United. Livewire former Perth Glory and current Team Wellington playmaker Henry Fa’arodo is another player the New Zealand defence will need to play close attention.

The match kicks off at 4pm New Zealand time and is streamed in New Zealand on www.oceaniafootball.com. Earlier in the day Fiji meet Papua New Guinea in a clash they must win to have any hope of edging the hosts for a semi final place.

On Tuesday, Tahiti beat Vanuatu 4-1 to confirm their place at the top of Group A, while New Caledonia thrashed Samoa 9-0 to grab the second semi final spot.

OFC Nations Cup / FIFA World Cup qualifying

New Zealand v Solomon Islands
June 6, 3pm (4pm NZT)
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Matches streamed online at www.oceaniafootball.com 

New Zealand (from): 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 2-Tim MYERS, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Ben SIGMUND, 5-Tommy SMITH (captain), 6-Ian HOGG, 7-Leo BERTOS, 8-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Marco ROJAS, 12-Glen MOSS (GK), 13-Jake GLEESON (GK), 14-Rory FALLON, 15-Ivan VICELICH, 16-Jeremy BROCKIE, 17-Kosta BARBAROUSES, 18-Aaron CLAPHAM, 19-Michael BOXALL, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Cameron HOWIESON, 22-Tim PAYNE, 23-Adam MCGEORGE.
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Solomon Islands (from): 1-Shadrack RAMONI (GK), 2-Hardies AENGARI, 3-Mostyn BEUI, 4-Jeffery BULE, 5-Henry FA'ARODO, 6-Tome FAISI, 7-Abraham INIGA, 9-Freddie KINI, 10-Joe LUWI, 11-Nicholas MURI, 12-James NAKA, 13-Leslie NATE, 14-Joses NAWO , 15-Seni NGAVA, 16-Loni QARABA, 17-Nelson SALE KILIFA, 18-Himson TELEDA, 19-Benjamin TOTORI, 20-Felix RAY Jnr (GK), 21-Joshua TUASULIA, 22-Jack WETNEY, 23-Aleck WICKHAM.
Coach:  Jacob MOLI 

OFC Nations Cup / FIFA World Cup qualifying
2-10 June 2012
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Matches streamed online at www.oceaniafootball.com

New Zealand v Solomon Islands
June 6, 3pm (4pm NZT)
Semi finals

New Zealand v New Caledonia or Tahiti
June 8, 11am or 3pm (12pm or 4pm)

Final
June 10, 3pm (4pm)