Soccer: All Whites coach tries to keep players focused

Keeping his players' minds focused on the now rather than the upcoming match against World Champions Italy and beyond that the Confederations Cup is the biggest challenge for All Whites coach Ricki Herbert.

Speaking from the team hotel in Dar es Salaam after the 2-1 loss to Tanzania, in front of a crowd of about 30,000 in the National Stadium, Herbert admitted it was always difficult to have players at their best for such friendlies.

"Tanzania were an excellent test," said Herbert, who was happy overall with the team's performance in their first game together after a break. "But trying to keep the players' minds on the now is difficult. They are certainly looking at Italy and onwards.

"But we need to keep ticking over."

The All Whites were given a dream start in their tour opener when Shane Smeltz scored from the penalty spot after a defender had handled in attempting to clear an Ivan Vicelich header across the goal from a Leo Bertos corner. The home side equalised 10 minutes into the second half and snatched the winner in the last minute.

It was an important victory for the Taifa Stars and their Brazilian coach Marcio Maximo. Both have been under pressure recently and went into the match hours after their Fifa ranking had dropped five places to 109. New Zealand's ranking fell four places to 82 in the same period.

Before the match Maximo said it would be a good test for his inexperienced squad. "It is a good trial for us. The New Zealand squad is a better side, plays fast football," said Maximo. "They will cause much trouble to us, but we are determined to beat them to raise our bar."

In the end that last-ditch goal gave them something to celebrate.

"We were rusty at times and fatigue was a concern in the last 20 minutes," said Herbert. "The only complaint was it was about 32 degrees and stinking hot."

Herbert said recalled international Vicelich did extremely well in teaming with Steven Old in central defence.

"They [Tanzania] were very quick but they rarely got in behind us."

Herbert also praised young West Brom striker Chris Wood who became one of New Zealand's youngest debutants when he ran out to start the match.

"Chris did well. He works incredibly hard. I was very impressed with his work rate and what he did," said Herbert. He has a degree of pace and a good physical presence."

Wood played just under an hour before being replaced by Chris Killen, while at the same time Simon Elliott, who like Killen had arrived in Dar es Salaam just hours before kick-off, replaced Jeremy Christie.

It will not get any easier for the All Whites.

A few hours after the tour opener they were up for a 5am start for the journey to Gaborone and Sunday's clash with world No 118 Botswana.

"This game will be a balancing act," said Herbert. "We have to decide which players need a certain amount of game time as some haven't been playing much lately."

While he has yet to name his starting XI, Herbert confirmed key defender Ben Sigmund was most unlikely to play but would be considered for next week's game against Italy.