Soccer: All Whites' three card trick

Current All Whites coach Ricki Herbert scoring against China in 1981. Photo / NZ HErald

There are three men who hold the key for the All Whites in their World Cup playoff with Bahrain: Shane Smeltz, Ryan Nelsen and Ricki Herbert.

THE STAR: SHANE SMELTZ

Brian Turner questioned the wisdom of it.

As All Whites assistant coach, he wasn't convinced Ricki Herbert was making the right call by playing Shane Smeltz up front against Wales. After all, Smeltz had had a fairly inglorious career to that point with stints at lowly English clubs Mansfield Town, Halifax and AFC Wimbledon.

Herbert, though, wouldn't be swayed. He was sure Smeltz had the potential to be a good international striker and it was only a matter of time until he proved it.

Smeltz, for his part, also needed to be cajoled into playing because he had offers of trials with A-League clubs and didn't want to jeopardise those by turning out in a friendly on the other side of the world.

As it turned out, it was the best decision Herbert and Smeltz made. The striker scored a brace in a 2-2 draw, secured a professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix and accumulated 12 goals in 11 games for the All Whites before June's Confederations Cup.

He was recognised as both New Zealand's and Oceania's Player of the Year in 2007 and picked up the double of the A-League's golden boot and best player award last season. Life was good.

The German-born and Australian-raised striker has since swapped the windswept beaches of Oriental Parade for the golden sands of the Gold Coast but still he can't stop scoring goals. He has nine in eight games for his new club to lead the A-League's scoring charts by five.

"There's no clear answer," Smeltz said when asked what his secret was. "That Wales game was a turning point.

"I don't know what has kept it going so well but I can't see it changing. I am focused and relaxed, and I'm happy."

For New Zealand to qualify for the World Cup, they need Smeltz to continue to do what he does best. He is the best striker this country has produced since Wynton Rufer and people have taken notice.

Not only was he lured to the Gold Coast by a big-money offer but he was also linked to a variety of European clubs. There are many who believe the 28-year-old will be playing in one of Europe's top leagues next season.

He's not a flashy striker. He doesn't strut around like a peacock demanding to be noticed or dazzle with incredible pace and skill. But he knows where the back of the net is - and he finds it regularly.

Bahrain probably know as much about New Zealand as the All Whites do of their opponents. But their scouting report is likely to be headed by Smeltz and Nelsen. One they need to stop, the other, avoid.

Smeltz admitted the playoff had been one he had been thinking about for some time and it was now becoming more real as they flew to the Middle East last night.

"It's been in the back of our minds for a little while now but it's fair to say it's right at the front now," Smeltz told NZPA. "Sometimes you need to pinch yourself that it's actually happening. We've never been in this situation before.

"We need to respect the occasion but not be too scared and go into our shells too much. Our attack is the healthiest it's been for a while and hopefully when we come into camp, we can all push each other along."

New Zealand has not always been blessed with good strikers, particularly not a lot at one time, but it is up front where their strength now lies.

Smeltz is an automatic choice but Herbert has plenty of options to consider with Chris Killen (Celtic), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle) and youngster Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion) all in good form.

If the All Whites had that much depth two years ago, Smeltz might never have got his big break.

THE CAPTAIN: RYAN NELSEN

Ryan Nelsen remembers his father hauling him out of bed in the middle of the night and plonking him in front of the TV.

He knew it was football he was watching but the significance didn't really register with the four-year-old.

More than 27 years on from watching those grainy images from the 1982 World Cup, the All Whites captain thinks this present side would make more of an impact on this country's footballing consciousness than their forerunners.

"If we make the World Cup, then I think it would have more effect than '82," he says. "These days it's all over TV and the internet and would be available to more households. If we get there, it would be a really cool story."

Nelsen's enthusiasm is clear. He didn't play an international for four years between 2004 and 2008, with injuries and English Premier League commitments usually getting in the way.

He missed June's Confederations Cup through injury, meaning he has played only 39 internationals since his debut against Poland in 1999. But the World Cup is different, especially given the fact that, at almost 32, this is realistically his last chance of playing at the world's biggest tournament.

"Playing in a World Cup is something I always dreamed about," he says. "If the stars align, we might get there. This is undoubtedly our best chance for a while and might be the best chance for some time. There's no doubt Bahrain are favourites but they are not a team we should fear.

"It would be amazing if we got there. As a little kid growing up, there were two things I wanted to achieve. One was playing in the English Premier League and the other was playing at a World Cup. I have been to an Olympics and a Confederations Cup so this is the one that needs to be ticked off. It would be the icing, the cherry and everything else on the cake. I would be able to walk away from the game with all of the boxes ticked."

Nelsen is paramount to the All Whites' chances. The gritty defender has a good sense of timing and reads the game well. He also provides a lift to those around him with his experience of 120 Premiership games. But he has the unusual task of defending Bahraini strikers he knows nothing about.

Each week in England's top flight he knows exactly who he's coming up against and what they can do. Last week it was Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor, tonight it's Robin Van Persie and Arsenal.

But little is known about Bahrain. Nelsen quizzed a number of English-based Australian internationals who played Bahrain during their World Cup campaign, as well as Australia coach Pim Verbeek.

"They all said they are extremely skilful and athletic but very unpredictable," he says. "The Australian coach said Bahrain had four one-on-ones and missed every one and they had one chance and buried it. They could strike one from 40 yards but miss a tap-in and it's extremely hard to defend against that or even create a game plan."

One thing he's convinced about is the need for the All Whites to start strongly in the first 20 minutes.

He has been in too many New Zealand teams in the past who struggled to adjust to the pace and level of big games.

"We can be our own worst enemy at times," he says. "Sometimes it's shock and awe. By the time the players have adjusted to the pace and level, we are down a goal and the game could be gone.

"We have to make sure we have our own ship in order and worry more about us.

"To be able to take the game to Wellington with us not having lost anything from the first leg would be fantastic."

So would seeing Nelsen lead the All Whites to another World Cup.

THE COACH: RICKI HERBERT

John Adshead was known for his skills as an orator. He was the sort of coach many players in that 1982 team would burst out of the trenches for.

Ricki Herbert was one. He heard all of Adshead's team talks, having played in every match in qualifying for 1982 as well as the World Cup itself.

It now falls on his shoulders to deliver an empowering message in their two playoff games against Bahrain. Herbert will not shy away from the past.

In his first team talk ahead of his first international as All Whites coach, a 1-0 defeat to Australia in London in 2005, he made a point of honouring the past while understanding the future. It's what he will do again.

"That time, 1981 and '82, was historic," he says.

"It was a fantastic statement in the game. That opportunity really galvanised a country. It stopped people in the streets.

"This team has exactly the same opportunity. There are similar synergies there and it's important to recognise those.

"This is a different team and a different era and they still have to go out there and achieve what the 1982 team did. But what an opportunity."

The opportunity will only be there if they return from Bahrain for the second leg in Wellington on November 14 with the tie still alive.

A victory would be optimal. It would be "incredible," as Herbert says. But a draw or a narrow loss would also be a good result, especially if they score a crucial away goal.

"If we lose, then 2-1 would be OK," he says. "The rubber's not going to be decided until November but if we can score, then it would give us a lifeline."

It's why he's contemplating changing his system from a 4-4-1-1 to a 5-3-2. They were badly exposed down the flanks in their first two games at the Confederations Cup, when they were beaten by Spain 5-0 and South Africa 2-0, and there's a belief playing three centre backs and two wing backs would help solve those deficiencies.

He's also considering playing Rory Fallon and Chris Killen up front to allow Shane Smeltz more freedom.

It would be a risk to change the system now, with little time to implement it and no practice games to perfect it.

But the old system has its limitations with the personnel at his disposal and Bahrain will provide a stern test. Herbert won't know until after this weekend's club games what approach he will take.

"I would be lying if I wasn't nervous about this weekend's games and potential casualties," he says, with skipper Ryan Nelsen at the forefront of his thinking.

"We've lost too many players at the 24th hour in the past to be comfortable."

The next two games could determine Herbert's future as All Whites coach. His contract with New Zealand Football expires once this World Cup campaign ends and it's no secret Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos would prefer Herbert to focus on only one job - Wellington.

Herbert, though, believes he can do justice to both. But it's not his decision. The only way he can convince employers to stick with him is to win football matches, especially the big ones.

There's a mural on the main road through old Papatoetoe of Herbert, cricketer Gary Troup and athlete Heather Thompson. It's something he's quite proud of - south Auckland boy made good.

He could demand a statue if he can guide New Zealand to an overdue second World Cup.