Football: Hudson hits ground running in Doha

Herald online

4 Sep, 2014 07:05 PM3 mins to read

Anthony Hudson. Photo / AP

Anthony Hudson has hit the ground running in Doha with the new All Whites coach immersing himself, and his team, in the details of preparing for their first test under his leadership.

Speaking last night via video link up to New Zealand media, Hudson described a camp environment fully focussed on laying the groundwork for a strong performance in Tuesday's clash with Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

"I'm really enjoying it, we've had a good few days of trainings," Hudson said.

"We've had a couple of days of double sessions and I've been really pleased with how they're applying themselves in training, there's been a lot of quality and it's been intense."

"The attitude has been fantastic from everyone and there are no bad characters and there are no lazy players. The players have applied themselves really well."

Training at the Aspire Academy facility in Doha, Hudson has used a full range of methods to help bed in his philosophy as quickly as possible with the on-pitch sessions backed up by full use of video from both the team training sessions and from matches.

"You're not going to come in and click your fingers and everything is going to be exactly how you want it. I think after every day we're together, the players are going to start understanding exactly what I'm looking for.
"We're doing two video sessions a day, we're on the training pitch and correcting things and already we're starting to adjust and learn and it takes time.
"I came here because I'm passionate about a certain style of play and I see the All Whites in four years time in Russia playing a certain style of football.

"For us to get to that, we have to keep working on it and keep practising it and when we make mistakes we have to correct it. That's teaching, that's learning and that's how we're going to get to the end product."

In his short time with the team since they arrived on Monday, Hudson has been reminded of some of the key reasons he decided to move across the globe to take on the New Zealand job.

"One thing I really felt before I came here, which was another huge reason I believed I could be successful here, was because of the characteristics and the mentality of Kiwi players.

"I've always seen players from here to have a real honesty about them and I see that about this group. The players are honest, the players care and they want to do well and are willing to learn and willing to work.

"It was a real pull for me and I've felt that on this camp and it's why I believe we're going to be successful."