All Whites 1 Charlton Athletic 1
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert can feel a headache coming on, but he isn't reaching for the aspirin.
Required to name a squad of around 25 players for the start of the vital World Cup campaign next year, Herbert faces an embarrassment of riches as more and more players thrust their best feet forward.
The draw with English Premier League side Charlton Athletic at The Valley yesterday continued the series of good efforts Herbert and his fellow selectors have watched this year.
With 14 players unavailable for this three-match tour, the door has been kicked open.
None took his chance in London better than teenage newcomer Chris James.
Handed his first start after playing a few minutes on debut against Brazil in June, the Fulham midfielder impressed Herbert with a fine all-round display.
"Everybody played well," said Herbert, who stuck with his starting XI for the entire match. "There were some outstanding performances - and some very good performances. Chris James was fantastic. When you went around the pitch and looked at the calibre of opposition we were up against and saw what Chris was still able to do, you could not help but be impressed.
"I played him wide on the left but he had a free role. He was unlucky not to score when he fired a shot from 30 yards which was headed for the top right-hand corner but was saved."
James combined well with Tony Lochhead in giving the All Whites real strength on the left.
"Tony's second-half performance was huge. He had a very good game against Dennis Rommedahl," said Herbert.
Both teams had half chances in the opening 30 minutes before the home side - in front of a crowd of 10,237 - took the lead when Marcus Bent, sent clear by Christian Bolanos, rifled a shot from the right of the penalty box which gave goalkeeper Mark Paston no chance.
James went close with his 41st minute cracker but, after beating a defender on the edge of the penalty area, was denied by a reaction save from Charlton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre.
The visitors got back on level terms in the 58th minute.
Charlton's Nathan Ashton stumbled and Jarrod Smith pounced to win possession out wide. He squirted the ball through to Campbell Banks who eluded Talal El Karkouri, rounded Myhre, and pushed the ball into the gaping goal to claim his second goal in only his fourth international.
Banks, a late call-up for this team, was another who impressed Herbert.
"I spoke to Campbell the night before the match and told him I was looking for another front-runner," said Herbert. "He did that extremely well today and took his goal expertly against two very good centre-halves. The problem he now faces is the level of [club] football he is now going to play at."
Herbert said he would "probably now play Banks against Blackburn Rovers as well".
The situation with strikers for the World Cup would probably be a little clearer nearer the end of the tour: "We are well served with Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen, Vaughan Coveny, Brent Fisher, Paul Urlovic and now Campbell Banks all in contention."
After a day off Herbert will prepare for next weekend's game against Blackburn.
He will be without Ivan Vicelich, who has returned to his Dutch club after playing a valuable role in leading the All Whites at The Valley, and Smeltz who has also returned to club duty.
Herbert hopes to have Danny Hay back to lead the side and could also have Ryan Nelsen on hand if Blackburn agree to let him play for his national rather than club side.
Soccer: All smiles as the All Whites earn draw
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