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SYDNEY - It's been a three-year wait for Tim Brown to make amends for one of New Zealand soccer's lowest ebbs.
Tomorrow, with temperatures forecast to get near 40degC in Port Vila, the All Whites tackle Vanuatu in the first leg of their Oceania World Cup qualifying series with revenge on their minds.
Back in June 2004, Vanuatu stunned the All Whites 4-2 at the Oceania Nations Cup in Adelaide.
Brown, who will captain the side tomorrow, is one of nine survivors from that squad who didn't need reminding as they prepared to fly from Sydney today.
"It was difficult, obviously an embarrassment for the game in our country and we've got to put that right," said Brown.
The All Whites kicked off their Oceania campaign with a 2-0 away win over Fiji last month and will play the return match against Vanuatu at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Wednesday.
Win the Oceania series, which also includes New Caledonia, and the All Whites book their place at the 2009 Confederations Cup finals in South Africa, and a home and away playoff with the fifth-placed Asian side for a 2010 World Cup spot.
"In terms of New Zealand football it's the most important game we've had in four-odd years," Brown said.
"We're playing for a World Cup spot, it's the ultimate and there's a quiet confidence about the squad about our ability to do that. It's massive for the game."
The All Whites are without their two high-profile British-based players, Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen whose wife is due to give birth, and Celtic striker Chris Killen who is out with an achilles tendon strain.
It means a possible international debut for Wellington youngster Daniel Ellensohn, a late callup this week.
Coach Ricki Herbert's team should still be far too strong for Vanuatu who lost 0-3 to Fiji in the South Pacific Games semifinal in Apia in July.
But Brown warned against expecting a big win in the peak of the afternoon heat against a fired-up opponent on a rough, hard playing surface.
"Any kind of win, it doesn't matter. If we can get through these six games against the island nations with 1-0 victories it's good enough for me."
The All Whites prepared in the warmth of Sydney for the past three days, leaving their arrival in Port Vila until as late as possible today. They will return to Auckland on Sunday.
"We know what it's going to be like. We've done it before so it's a matter of getting your head right and doing the job," in-form striker Shane Smeltz said.
"We're in and out pretty quick so it doesn't drag on."
Smeltz, who found the net in Fiji last month, will be looking to continue his hot goalscoring run which has him second in the A-League and began with a double in the 2-2 draw with Wales in May.
- NZPA
