Soccer: Thais kick off big year for All Whites

THAILAND v NZ
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Tomorrow 12.30am (NZ time)

The All Whites take the first tentative step in what promises to be a huge year for New Zealand soccer when they run on to the Supachalasai Stadium early tomorrow morning to play Thailand in a friendly.

With June's Confederations Cup in South Africa and the even more important World Cup play-offs looming, coach Ricki Herbert is determined he and his players must make the most of every opportunity afforded them.

"Thailand's recent results point to this being a stiff challenge," said Herbert. "For us it is an excellent challenge given they have had a 0-0 draw with Iran and a narrow loss to Saudi Arabia in recent games."

The biggest concern for Herbert is the expected stifling heat despite the match kicking off at 6.30pm (local time).

Herbert has stayed with tried and tested players in naming his starting line-up.

Mark Paston is likely to be preferred ahead of Glen Moss in goal.

The back four of David Mulligan, Andy Boyens, Ryan Nelsen and Tony Lochhead oozes experience as does the midfield quartet of Simon Elliott, Tim Brown, Duncan Oughton and Jeremy Brockie.

The only question mark hangs over Chris Killen who has a calf problem.

Fellow striker Jarrod Smith is troubled by a niggling calf injury and will not play first up but is likely to turn out in the second game against Thailand A.

Herbert is keen to get as much as he can from his time in Thailand, especially as some players have had little football recently.

"The beauty of getting this one early in what will be a busy year is it gives us the chance to look at a number of things. We all want a successful 2009 and these games are very much about the Confederations Cup and then World Cup," he said.