Soccer: Herbert betting on away goals

The pairing of Shane Smeltz (pictured) and Rory Fallon impressed Ricki Herbert. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Ricki Herbert is backing the All Whites' ability to score goals away from home as the catalyst for a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.

In kicking any thought of a "defend at all costs" edict into touch ahead of the opening tie against Bahrain in Manama next month, Herbert said it was important to get the team balance right.

"I would not say we will be going into that game with all guns blazing. Just as we won't want to get into the mindset of defending for 90 minutes," said Herbert in announcing his 19-strong squad yesterday. "As we showed against Iraq at the Confederations Cup, we are capable of scoring away from home."

They have had to, given the number of games the All Whites play on the road.

It is the ability to perform under pressure away from their home environment that gives Herbert some justified confidence going into the most important match of his coaching tenure.

Bahrain will start their home tie as hot favourites.

While New Zealand have won through from the comfort of a hardly-testing Oceania campaign, Bahrain, ranked 36 places (and 170 ranking points) higher on the latest Fifa list, have honed their preparation in the hotbed of the Asian Confederation.

In tipping out perennial World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia to make the two-match winner-take-all showdown with the All Whites, Bahrain showed they mean business and have the talent to reach the big stage for the first time.

While Herbert expects his starting XI will quickly become obvious once the full squad has assembled in Dubai five days before the match, he admits he, assistant coach Brian Turner and technical director Raul Blanco, have some important calls to make.

"We need to find a balance," said Herbert when asked of his likely formation. "There is the possibility we could go with three central defenders - Ryan Nelsen, Ben Sigmund and Ivan Vicelich - and play two wing backs. If we did that, we might not then be in a position to play Leo Bertos and Michael McGlinchey wide in midfield."

Herbert continues to wrestle with the right back role.

He used Sigmund in that position initially against Jordan earlier this month but, given Sigmund's preference to play centrally, Herbert is unlikely to repeat that call.

He played Aaron Scott and David Mulligan at fullback in South Africa and, while Mulligan appears to have fallen off the pace, Scott continues to impress and must be favoured to start.

Like Mulligan, Scott has had little recent hard match play, although he has been training with Herbert's Wellington Phoenix and turning out for them in practice matches.

Up front Herbert has another call to make.

In Chris Killen's injury-enforced absence from the Jordan game, debutant Rory Fallon stepped up and impressed as Shane Smeltz's striking partner.

While Herbert hinted he might consider playing the trio together, it is more likely, especially in the away leg, he will play either Killen or Fallon in front of Smeltz on attack leaving one or other, along with Chris Wood, to provide the impact off the bench.

Asked which was the toughest call he had to make in announcing his squad, Herbert said the decision to leave injury-hit Jeremy Brockie out was "tough".

Of the players used in recent times, Brockie, Jeremy Christie, Stephen Old, Kris Bright and Chris James missed out as Herbert trimmed his squad of 23 to 19.

Goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley, called in as cover for Mark Paston and James Bannatyne, is the only newcomer while captain Nelsen, Killen and Wood return from injury.

* Qualifier

Bahrain v NZ

Manama, Bahrain

October 11
4.30am NZ time

* The squad

GOALKEEPERS

James Bannatyne
Mark Paston
Jacob Spoonley

DEFENDERS

Andrew Boyens
Tony Lochhead
David Mulligan
Ryan Nelsen
Aaron Scott
Ben Sigmund
Ivan Vicelich

MIDFIELDERS

Andy Barron
Leo Bertos
Tim Brown
Simon Elliott
Michael McGlinchey

FORWARDS

Rory Fallon
Chris Killen
Shane Smeltz
Chris Wood