Soccer: Clapham soaking up World Cup atmosphere

Aaron Clapham (right) is hoping to feature against Serbia. Photo / Getty Images

It's thin-air stuff, literally, for new All White Aaron Clapham but he's not letting the hypnotic setting in Austria distract him from a desire to prove himself ready for soccer's big stage.

Midfielder Clapham may well get a chance to show he is a viable option for next month's World Cup when the All Whites play a friendly against Serbia in Klagenfurt on Sunday morning (NZT).

A shoulder injury to Tim Brown immediately opens one spot in the midfield and, although Clapham doesn't have the same workhorse attributes as Brown, the Canterbury United player may offer an intriguing point of difference to coach Ricki Herbert.

Clapham, 23, was holding his breath in the high altitude of the team training camp in as he awaited the naming of Sunday's team.

"He (Herbert) hasn't said anything at all, you've got to earn it and prove yourself at training," Clapham told NZPA.

"I believe in my own ability and I believe I'm good enough. It's just a matter of waiting for that opportunity and, when it comes, trying to grab it."

Clapham didn't get on the field in Monday's 2-1 loss to Australia at Melbourne. He was desperate to make his international debut but didn't think it would be as a straight swap for Brown.

"Brownie's a great player and hopefully he can recover quickly and get back in the fold here. I'm a creative-type player who can try and make things happen in there."

It is the first time in Europe for the wide-eyed Clapham - who until a few months ago would not have dreamed of his international promotion - and he was still adjusting to the rigours of training at altitude.

"You don't quite get a full set of oxygen when you breathe it in but I'm getting used to it," he said.

"It's been unbelievable since we got here and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm trying to take it in my stride and keep myself grounded."

Clapham knew little about world No 15 Serbia but suspected a tough battle lay ahead for New Zealand as the Europeans were still finalising their squad.

However, he didn't expect it to degenerate to the extent of the Melbourne game, where the All Whites were left privately seething at aggressive Australian tackling on Leo Bertos that they felt warranted more than yellow cards.

"It's been a bit of a talking point," Clapham said.

"There were a couple of shocking challenges there. Even the ref said if it wasn't a friendly, it would be a red card.

"You'd like to think that no matter what the occasion, they're going to ref the rules and play it fair.

"Hopefully that's what will happen (on Sunday). We're not going to go in and say 'let's cause a bad challenge' or anything like that."

Clapham said the players were "heartbroken" initially to lose to Australia but had since focused on the positives.

"When you have a couple of days to reflect on it, to put in a performance like that, we were pretty proud of how it went."

- NZPA