Terry Maddaford: Series win over Malaysia a bit disappointing

Not too much should be read into the All Whites' series win over Malaysia.

There were positives just as there were shortcomings.

As a launching pad after a long hiatus, the games were pitched at the right level.

The results, however, were a trifle disappointing given the domination the home side had over a team that did not offer too much.

Coach Ricki Herbert and able lieutenants Brian Turner and Stu Jacobs will have marked some players from the series in bold and run a line through a few others as they look ahead to two matches in Chile and the glamour clash with Brazil in Geneva and the 18 or 20 players likely to be involved.

Of more concern, perhaps, is where these players who have been shown to be half-decent or in some cases better than that, will play their more immediate and future football.

There is little doubt that some players, such as Andy Barron, Leo Bertos and Shane Smeltz could fit comfortably into the A-League, preferably with the New Zealand Knights.

They should be considered closely by the Knights to join others, including Glen Moss, in ensuring there is a credible New Zealand presence at the club. Others, like Jarrod Smith, Jeff Fleming and Steven Old are also worth a check, surely, by football manager John Adshead before he settles on any new season roster.

The Malaysian matches showed that even with limited preparation, there is something for the coaching staff to work with.

While experience must play a role in selections between now and the next World Cup campaign - which starts in the second half of next year with early matches in the Oceania round - younger players must be encouraged and given their chance.

A likely starting XI to play Brazil - assuming, as expected, all players are keen and available - could read Glen Moss, Tony Lochhead, Ryan Nelsen, Danny Hay, David Mulligan, Andy Barron, Simon Elliott, Tim Brown, Leo Bertos, Vaughan Coveny and Chris Killen.

Adequate cover would perhaps come from Mark Paston, Noah Hickey, Steven Old, Tim Brown, Jarrod Smith, Jeremy Christie, Adrian Webster, Shane Smeltz and Brent Fisher in a 20-man squad.

Herbert knows not all will play through to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He insists the search for new faces will be on-going.

He will not be carried away by two late one-goal victories at home over a team three places below the All Whites on Fifa rankings.

Herbert must see these games for what they were.

Useful workouts and, along with the game against Australia in London last year, a further look-see at prospective international (World Cup and Olympic) players and their ability to perform under pressure.

The new-look coaching/management group make much of their determination to be rid of any hangovers of times gone by and of instilling protocols and standards they want on and off the field.

Succeeding in that, with early indications from players suggesting they have already achieved plenty, is one step.

Taking such success into the arena where it really counts is another. And more important.

Attracting around 18,000 to the Malaysian series was encouraging and whetted the fans' appetites for more.

Playing a team ranked around 125 is, however, a far cry from what lies ahead.

The challenge is huge. The good bits from the matches in Christchurch and at North Harbour Stadium give hope that the new era is dawning with some half-useful players.

That alone should allow anyone to be lured into a field of dreams.

They, and the game, are still a long way from that.