All Whites chase World Cup qualifying lead

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen is promising a do-what-it-takes approach from New Zealand as they look to secure three points against the Solomon Islands in Auckland on Tuesday night that would give them control of the third and final Oceania stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Ryan Nelsen talks to school children at Kristin School. www.photosport.co.nz

September 10, 2012

AUCKLAND –All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen is promising a do-what-it-takes approach from New Zealand as they look to secure three points against the Solomon Islands in Auckland on Tuesday night that would give them control of the third and final Oceania stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying.

New Zealand posted a professional 2-0 win over New Caledonia in Noumea on Friday night while the Solomon Islands beat Oceania Champions Tahiti in Honiara by the same score line. The winner of Tuesday night’s clash at North Harbour Stadium will take an outright lead a third of the way through the stage, where the prize in a place in an intercontinental playoff against a North and Central American nation for a place in Brazil 2014.

And after two very close matches between the two nations at the OFC nations Cup in June – New Zealand piped the hosts 4-3 in the playoff for third after an earlier 1-1 draw in pool play – Nelsen is expecting the Bonitos to arrive full of confidence.

“It was a good result for us in Noumea but there is no complacency,” Nelsen said.

“We know it’s going to be a difficult game tomorrow Tuesday night. The Solomon Islands are a good team. They’re unpredictable, they’re athletic and they are well organised now it could be a tough one and we’re not going to take them lightly.”

Home conditions are expected to play into New Zealand’s hands and while that may create opportunities for the All Whites to stamp their mark on the game early or afford Ricki Herbert more license to attack, Nelsen says winning rather than entertaining is the primary focus.

“The bigger picture is the three points.

“If we play some pretty stuff and win by a few goals that’ll be fun but if we have to grind out a 1-0 win then so be it.

Tommy Smith watched training from the sidelines with a bruised left foot but is expected to be available for selection, while Ben Sigmund remained at the hotel with a stomach bug.

Otherwise coach Ricki Herbert has everyone available but he hinted after training on Monday morning that he wouldn’t change a winning line-up too much.

“We're considering a couple, but I'm not really keen to change a lot,” Herbert said.

“That group in Noumea had to step out and get the campaign underway, there was pressure on us all to do that and they did it and did it pretty effectively at that.”

Blunting the threat of Solomons danger man Benji Totori, who scored three goals in two matches against the All Whites could be key to success on Tuesday but Herbert, who signed Totori to the Wellington Phoenix after that performance thinks the Solomons offer a more collective challenge.

“Benji's a good player – I've signed him at the club so that's what I think of him.  But I think collectively they're a side that'll come here pretty confident after a good win at home against Tahiti.

“But it's really up to us now, if we can shut them down and get as much of the ball as we anticipate getting then perhaps he won't get as much as either.”

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil – Oceania Stage 3 Qualifying Standings

FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifiers Stage 3
Match Day 2
New Zealand v Solomon Islands
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Tuesday 11 September, 2012
Kickoff: 7:35pm
Live on Sky Sport & Radio Sport

Tickets Prices – Adult/Children:
Covered reserved seating – $35/$15 pre-purchased  ($45/$20 at the gate)
Uncovered reserved & GA open – $25/$10 pre-purchased   ($35/$15 at the gate)
Tickets available from www.ticketek.co.nz and Ticketek outlets

New Zealand: (from) 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 2-Winston REID, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Ben SIGMUND, 5-Tommy SMITH, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7-Leo BERTOS, 8-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Marco ROJAS, 12-Glen MOSS (GK), 13-Dan KEAT, 15-Ivan VICELICH, 16-Jeremy BROCKIE, 17-Kosta BARBAROUSES, 18-Tim PAYNE, 19-Michael BOXALL, 20-Chris WOOD.
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Solomon Islands: (from) 1-Samson KOTI (GK), 2-Hardies AENGARI, 3-Nelson SALE KILIFA, 4-Tome FAISI, 5-Freddie KINI, 6-Leslie NATE, 7-Henry FA'ARODO (captain), 8-Jeffery BULE, 9-Benjamin TOTORI, 10-Joe LUWI, 11-Ian PAIA, 12-Gagame FENI, 13-Joachim WAROI, 14-Joses NAWO, 15-Jack WETNEY, 16-Himson TELEDA, 17-Paul HIRI, 18-Seni NGAVA, 19-Loni GARABA, 20-Paul HUIA [GK], 21-Emmanuel POILA, 22-Willie LAMANI, 23-Phillip MANGO (GK).
Coach: Jacob MOLI