Soccer: Nelsen hoping for southerly blast against desert dwellers

Ryan Nelsen was surprised by Bahrain’s decision to prepare for Saturday’s in Sydney. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand soccer captain Ryan Nelsen is hoping Wellington will turn on a southerly blast on Saturday for his team's World Cup playoff against desert dwellers Bahrain.

The All Whites face Bahrain for the second leg of the playoff at Westpac Stadium with the chance to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in 27 years.

Following a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Manama last month, New Zealand must win this weekend's match to progress, while a score draw or win would seal Bahrain's spot in the finals in South Africa.

Speaking in Wellington today, Nelsen was baffled by the Bahrain squad's decision to stay in Sydney and not travel to New Zealand until Thursday afternoon.

"I was very surprised because there's a two-hour difference from Australia and the weather's going to be completely different," he said.

He said he hoped New Zealand could turn on the coldest weather possible to put the visitors further out of their comfort zone.

"A good, dirty southerly, some beautiful Wellington wind, and a nice bit of sleet," he said.

The 32-year-old underlined the significance of the event, saying the World Cup was watched by more people than the Olympics.

"I think most people understand that it's fairly big, but in terms of playing or coaching in this, it's absolutely the pinnacle of sport, there's nothing bigger," he said.

"This is bigger than the Olympics 100m final ... If you win the World Cup in football, there's nothing, absolutely nothing else, on this earth that's bigger."

Nelsen said senior players would hopefully help their teammates to produce their best and help prevent them being overwhelmed in the lead-up to the game.

"No matter what people say, it's no ordinary game. When it comes down to it, when you're kicking the ball round with your mates when you're 10 years old, you dream about this situation.

"You need to forget all the pressures and look back and say, `This is why I put in all the hard work'."

However, Nelsen offered little reassurance about how New Zealand soccer was viewed overseas when he spoke about how his Blackburn Rovers teammates regarded Saturday's match.

"To be honest, all the guys have been wishing me and New Zealand so much luck. I think they think that if we get through some of them might have an easier game in the World Cup ... the buggers," he said.

"We've got a few of the Aussies, some of the Irish, some from France, some guys from Denmark and some South Africans. I think the only person who doesn't want me to get in there is the manager - I'll be playing for pretty much two years straight."

Nelsen, who arrived back from England yesterday, said he was not too concerned with issues of fatigue arising from jetlag.

"Since the first leg, I've been ready to get on the plane and get back here," he said.

"Trust me, if the game was on the moon I wouldn't care one bit, I'm just excited to get back here and I'm looking forward to it."

Coach Ricki Herbert said he expected the full squad to participate at the first training session tonight, including Mark Paston, Simon Elliott and Michael McGlinchy, who have all suffered recent injuries.

"They're all in camp and hopefully they'll all be on the pitch tonight. I can't see any reason why they won't be. There aren't any major concerns at the moment, so we'll just work through the week and see how we go."

Herbert said he was not too concerned about nerves in his team going into the crucial match.

"There needs to be that passion and adrenaline flowing through the body, otherwise we probably haven't got the right players in the squad."

- NZPA