Soccer: Paston won't change style for controversial ball

All Whites goalkeeper Mark Paston ran into a couple of problems with the controversial Jabulani ball during the match against Slovakia. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Whites goalkeeper Mark Paston insists he will not change the way he plays to counter the unpredictable flight of the Jabulani football.

The 33-year-old ran into a couple of problems with the controversial ball during the All Whites' historic 1-1 draw with Slovakia on Wednesday morning (NZT). He miscontrolled a backpass and was later left in no man's land when he misjudged a dangerous cross into the box.

But as he prepares for the biggest game of his career against world champions Italy on Monday morning, Paston says any changes to his style could be counter-productive.

"I like to come for my crosses and I'm not going to change that," the 1.95m 'keeper said at the team's recovery session overnight. "As soon as you start sticking to your line because you're not sure, that's when you're going to start causing your defence problems."

Several players have complained about the adidas ball created specially for South Africa 2010.

Mexico are even using American footballs to sharpen their goalkeepers' reactions to unpredictable bounces.

It comes after a couple of goalkeeper blunders on seemingly easy shots - England's Robert Green allowed a cheap equaliser in the 1-1 draw with the United States and Algeria's Fawzi Chaouchi misjudged a long-distance shot and allowed it to bounce into the net off his arm for a late winner in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Slovenia.

Top goalkeepers, including Spain's Iker Casillas and Brazil's Julio Cesar, have also raised concerns about the ball, while Paston's opposite in the All Whites' next match, Italian 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon, said it was possible to "hear some deep breaths from the tribune" whenever the Jabulani took flight.

"This ball goes and goes and goes. I hope the goalkeepers go, go, go, too," said Buffon, who will undergo a late fitness test to see if he can play against the All Whites in Nelspruit.

But Paston said he believed the high altitude was more of an issue.

"I trained with it in Wellington and didn't have too many issues with it, but once it gets up to 1500 metres it does unusual things on not just shots but crosses as well.

"Looking at games so far, a number of 'keepers have either let it go over their head or it's dropped short so it's difficult, but it is what it is. It won't stop me coming for crosses. I'll get out on the training ground and stick at it."

Paston said goalkeepers' problems were the least of the concerns as the ball could prevent goals.

"The games I've watched, a number of crosses have come in and the strikers have seemed as bemused as the goalkeepers sometimes.

"I don't think it's necessarily a good thing. A good cross should be a lot easier for a striker to get on the end of."

Despite Paston's typically relaxed attitude, he believes football authorities may reconsider the Jabulani - but that was a concern for the future and not for now, he said.

"Maybe they need to look at it for future tournaments but it is what it is. They're not going to change the ball now so it's just a matter of getting on with it. "

Meanwhile, Paston said the draw against Slovakia had probably surprised a lot of people and the All Whites were relishing the chance to take on the world champions.

"We've all obviously enjoyed the result [against Slovakia], but now it's about focusing on Italy.

"Coming into the tournament, we all realise we're surrounded by good players and, on our day, we're able to get good results.

"A lot of people had just written us off to get smashed in three games. We had belief and obviously it showed. We played for 93 minutes."