Soccer: It's time for reality check, says Herbert

New Zealand All White Winston Reid in training for the match against Honduras tomorrow. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Ricki Herbert would love to coach a World Cup-winning team. But he is a realist. It is not going to happen any time soon. Or ever.

Rather, he contents himself by reflecting in the afterglow of "his" New Zealand team's efforts in South Africa 2010.

He just wishes others would take the same pragmatic view.

"What do these people want? Do they think overnight we are Brazil?" said Herbert of the doubters as he prepares for the first outing of the two-match ASB International Series against Honduras at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow night.

"Some people have an unrealistic view on what this team can do. We are not going to be this great, expansive, attack-at-all-costs team some people think we should suddenly become.

"We have scored goals against Italy - and they are four-time world champions - that's not bad. I just want people to see us for what we are.

"If you go back prior to the games against Bahrain, few gave us any chance [of qualifying for the World Cup]. Now these same people are saying we should do this or that. We have gone from zero to where we are today. That's not bad.

"Now it is time for a reality check as we look ahead."

Herbert, who recently signed a two-year contract to coach the national side, said yesterday he came very close to signing to coach a South African club side after the World Cup.

He agrees the key lead-ups to Brazil 2014 are the next Oceania Nations Cup and, should they win that, the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.

Herbert already has plans for matches in the Fifa window next March when he will be checking the likely availability of his current squad.

"We need to know how many will go through to Brazil and other tournaments. I see the next Olympic campaign as crucial," said Herbert.

"Six or seven players who will play in that - and those qualifiers come late next year - will be part of the next World Cup. We need to identify them and get them into the programme as soon as possible. There is a nice draft out there, but we want to enjoy these games with these players first before looking too far ahead."

While he has yet to name his team to play Honduras it seems likely he will start with Mark Paston, Ryan Nelsen, Ivan Vicelich, Winston Reid, Leo Bertos (on the left in place of Tony Lochhead), either Jeremy Brockie or Jeremy Christie on the right, Tim Brown and Simon Elliott in midfield and Shane Smeltz ( although he has a hamstring injury), Chris Killen and Chris Wood (in for Rory Fallon).

The only players not in Auckland are James Bannatyne and Andy Barron (retired), Tommy Smith (injured) and Lochhead (recovering).

While he will sit out tomorrow's game, Fallon might see game time in Wellington on Tuesday.

Herbert seems likely to hand Canterbury United midfielder Aaron Clapham a debut international appearance. He is also set to share the goalkeeping duties with Glen Moss.

Herbert said the players who do get their chance [to play] will show they have the desire to be part of the squad.

"They are really proud to be here and really looking forward to play in front of the fans who have supported them."