Soccer: Herbert prepares to roll the dice

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert. Photo / Getty Images

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert believes Thursday's clash against Mexico is exactly the type of challenge his players relish.

Herbert's side will face off against Mexico in Denver as their opponents prepare for their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign.

Unbeaten in their last six matches, Mexico head into the 12-nation tournament as slight favourites, ahead of the United States, to defend their North and Central American title and qualify for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

New Zealand's eyes are also on Brazil, but with Confederations and World Cup qualifiers not starting for the All Whites until next year, Herbert is at the early stages of constructing the core of his 2014 World Cup squad.

"The build ups are chalk and cheese really," Herbert said today.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for us. Playing a team at the level of Mexico with what they achieved at the World Cup and what they're doing now is a massive challenge."

While Herbert isn't due to name his side until tomorrow, he indicated he would "roll the dice a little bit" by giving starts to a couple of newer players.

"The list is pretty clear now. We're eight or nine short from the World Cup squad (through injury and retirement) so that's big for us in anyone's language.

"I've always said that gives opportunities to others. But these guys will relish the chance to be out there. It's going to be tough for them, it'll be a big night, but we've done it before and we'll continue to do it."

Mexico will be without Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez for the match.

Hernandez will join the squad a day after this game and in time for the June 5 Gold Cup opener against El Salvador after featuring in the Champions League final in London last weekend.

- nzherald.co.nz will have live updates of the All Whites clash with Mexico from 2pm on Thursday.

Squads

New Zealand (from): Jake Gleeson (GK), Glen Moss (GK), Mark Paston (GK), Andrew Boyens, Michael Boxall, Michael Fitzgerald, Winston Reid, Ben Sigmund, Ivan Vicelich, Jeremy Brockie, Tim Brown, Aaron Clapham, Simon Elliott, David Mulligan, Michael McGlinchey, Kosta Barbarouses, Craig Henderson, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood.

Mexico (from): Alfredo Talavera (Gk), Guillermo Ochoa (Gk), Jonathan Orozco (Gk), Edgar Duenas, Ricardo Osorio, Jorge Torres Nilo, Efrain Juarez, Rafael Marquez (C), Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Gerardo Torrado, Antonio Naelson, Christian Bermudez, Jesus Zavala, Israel Castro, Andres Guardado, Angel Reyna, Aldo De Nigris, Elias Hernandez, Giovanni Dos Santos, Pablo Barrera.

- NZPA