Harry Ngata: Mexico clash bigger test than Bahrain

The All Whites start their preparation for South Africa on Thursday (NZT) against a star studded Mexican side in Los Angeles, minus influential captain Ryan Nelsen and lieutenant Ivan Vicelich.

Nelsen is out for 4-6 weeks after hyper extending his knee in Blackburn's 3-0 win against Bolton last week while Vicelich is serving a one match suspension. Both have been outstanding in recent games for Ricki Herbert, who will give new boys Chad Combes, Jason Hayne and Tommy Smith their first taste of international football at this level. In my opinion, this is going to be a massive test for Herbert's chargers - bigger than Bahrain.

The euphoria from November 14 could be long forgotten as they come face-to-face with a red hot Mexican side ranked 17th in the world, fresh off a 5-0 drubbing of Bolivia.

Nelsen's absence would have sent shockwaves through New Zealand Football. He has been that rock, the calming influence in the heart of defence that withstood a pounding of pressure in both Bahrain games. Without Ryan Nelsen we wouldn't be one of the 32 competing for sports biggest prize in South Africa later this year.

It will be left up to Ben Sigmund, Andy Boyens, Steven Old and Tommy Smith to fill the void for this game. All would put their hands up for the job but I'm sure each would feel much more comfortable knowing Nelsen is marshalling the troops.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre should bring a near full squad to LA. Captain Rafael Marquez has had a stellar career at Barcelona, Carlos Vela should provide the silky skills that Arsene Wenger has at his disposal at Arsenal while midfielder Claudio Suarez has been capped 178 times. Pasadena's Rose Bowl should also see an influx of support for this game with a large Mexican community based in and around LA.

There are a few things that trouble me about this fixture. The timing couldn't be worse - the Phoenix players will arrive back in Wellington the day before they face Newcastle Jets in the minor semifinal. Rory Fallon's plea to remain at Plymouth Argyle for the week has been a storm in a tea cup, the absence of key personnel and the travel arrangements concerning both northern and southern hemisphere players have all been added distractions.

But let's put these things into perspective. Would you want it any other way? Of course not. Can you align the stars and planets to benefit you favourably? No. Do you waste energy worrying about things you cannot control? No. These issues are part and parcel of football and we should be relishing the opportunity.

Yes, it's going to be a tough ask, yes we will be without captain fantastic, yes we are going to have to be organised and work our butts off and yes we will be without the ball for long periods of the game. This is what professional football is about.

So if we want to be a nation that continues to embrace football in this manor then lets put the words to one side, deal with it and get on with it. The most important factor that Ricki Herbert has installed in both camps is belief. And guess what - the 35,000 people that showed up in Wellington against Bahrain, the near 25,000 against Perth, the 35,000 rumoured to be turning up next week not to mention the growing swell of support around Aotearoa are also starting to believe.