Soccer: Injury fears force Herbert into cautious approach

Ricki Herbert. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand soccer coach Ricki Herbert is mindful of returning his players to their respective clubs in good health and will err on the side of caution in selecting his starting XI for the international against Paraguay here tonight.

Herbert has delayed naming the team until today as several players nurse minor injuries following last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Honduras in Auckland.

Among those being monitored are captain and defender Ryan Nelsen (ankle), and strikers Shane Smeltz (hamstring), Chris Killen (calf) and Rory Fallon (hernia).

Fallon did not play against Honduras and Herbert suggested that, in the best-case scenario, he could play up to 15 minutes off the bench.

Killen's tight calf was the least worrying of the injuries.

Herbert said yesterday that he wanted to play as many of the players involved in last November's World Cup qualification win here against Bahrain as possible, as a reward for Wellington's support of the team, but his hand might be forced by injuries.

"I think we owe it to the public to make sure the stars are out there playing and performing ... but we have to balance that with making sure players travel back safely to clubs," Herbert said.

"We won't take any risks, I think we've made that quite clear, so that may force a few changes anyway.

"Given Wellington's support of that game against Bahrain, in my heart I'd love the players who had an integral part in that to be on the pitch, certainly at the start, but my hands might be a little bit tied given injuries."

Injuries aside, Herbert's toughest decision will be who starts in goal.

World Cup hero Mark Paston's performance against Honduras could not be faulted, and Glen Moss has been in top form for Gold Coast United in the A-League.

Herbert initially suggested he might give them a game each but yesterday said no decision had been made.

New Zealand, ranked 49th in the world, are expecting a much tougher test against 17th-ranked Paraguay, who reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in South Africa this year.

They drew 0-0 with New Zealand in group play and despite missing some of their World Cup stars, their mix of physical aggression and natural flair will be a big step up from what the All Whites faced against Honduras.

Paraguay lost 1-0 to Australia in Sydney last Saturday but dominated the physical match for large periods and Herbert felt the scoreline flattered the home team.

"We know the Paraguayans well and it's a privilege to have a team of that calibre on our doorstep so soon after the World Cup in what will be an extremely tough match for us."

New Zealand's attacking performance against Honduras was encouraging and a far cry from past All Whites teams but they were wasteful in front of goal and Herbert will want to see more ruthlessness tonight.

The Paraguay-Australia match was far from friendly and the visitors are expecting a similarly tough physical approach from New Zealand tonight.

But both teams want to entertain what should be a good crowd, with about 15,000 tickets sold by yesterday.

NZ v PARAGUAY
Wellington, 7.30 tonight

New Zealand (from):
Mark Paston, Winston Reid, Ryan Nelsen, Ivan Vicelich, Simon Elliott, Tim Brown, Jeremy Brockie, Leo Bertos, Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen, Chris Wood, Glen Moss, Andy Boyens, Ben Sigmund, Michael McGlinchey, Jeremy Christie, Aaron Clapham, David Mulligan, Rory Fallon, Cole Peverley.

Paraguay (from):
Justo Villar (captain), Diego Barreto, Carlos Bonet, Paulo Da Silva, Claudio Morel, Antolin Alcaraz, Dario Veron, Cesar Benitez, Cristian Riveros, Enrique Vera, Osvaldo Martinez, Osmar Molinas, Victor Caceres, Marcos Riveros, Nestor Camacho, Hernan Perez, Derlis Orue, Edgar Benitez, Nelson Haedo Valdez, Fredrico Santander, Claudio Rodriguez.

Referee
Jamie Cross (New Zealand)

Last five matches
New Zealand LDDDD
Paraguay LWLDL

Fifa world ranking
New Zealand 49, Paraguay 17

- NZPA