Soccer: Turner backs use of new formation

The All Whites didn't get the away goal they wanted against World Cup soccer opponents Bahrain, but assistant coach Brian Turner believes their more attack-minded formation was proven justified.

New Zealand came away from the National Stadium in Manama yesterday with a 0-0 draw in the opening match of the two-leg tie.

The result means a win, by any margin, in Wellington on November 14 will send them to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.

Coach Ricki Herbert opted to switch from the more familiar 4-4-1-1 formation to 3-4-3, with in-form strikers Chris Killen, Rory Fallon and Shane Smeltz all starting.

"One of the objectives from the game, playing three men up, was to score goals," Turner said.

"We fell a little short in that aspect but I still think it was the right thing to do, to play the type of formation we played."

Turner said adapting to a new system shouldn't be difficult for professional players.

"There was a lot of comment before the game that the players don't know how to play that way, that they hadn't played that way before," he said.

"We always believed that our players are professional players now. As long as the communication is there and the training has been done, they should be able to adapt, and I think they did."

Turner said one thing the All Whites could have done was make better use of the possession they got.

That was particular the case during the second half, when they had to soak up periods of pressure.

But overall, he said, the performance was one the All Whites should be proud off.

"The team, in difficult circumstances, played very well, especially in the first half," he said.

"We were under the pump in the second half and we have to expect that, but this team has a lot of resolve and desire and wanting to succeed and I think we saw that."

He described the efforts of the back three of skipper Ryan Nelsen, Ivan Vicelich and Ben Sigmund as outstanding in helping to keep a clean sheet.

While New Zealand now stand just 90 minutes away from only their second appearance at the World Cup finals, Turner cautioned that getting there wouldn't be easy.

Bahrain would be naturally disappointed that they couldn't produce a victory at home and in conditions that favoured them.

They would be determined to get a result in Wellington, knowing that they don't need a victory, but that a score draw, such as 1-1, would get them through on the away-goals rule.

"But it's a mouth-watering prospect thinking that, when we get home, we only have to win," Turner said.

"It will be a fantastic time for New Zealand football and a chance for this team to create our own history."

Herbert and Turner both played in the only time New Zealand have made the World Cup finals, in 1982 in Spain.

Turner said one of the catchphrases with the present crop of All Whites was "create our own history".

"This team is now one game away from creating their own history and doing something significant for the game."

- NZPA