Soccer: Suspended Moss may make the World Cup

All Whites goalkeeper Glen Moss may yet get his chance to play at next year's World Cup.

Forced out of the recent matches against Bahrain as part of the four-match ban he copped after being sent off in the last match of the Oceania qualifiers against Fiji last November, Moss thought any World Cup hopes had gone. He was shown a red card by Vanuatu referee Lencie Fred for dissent.

At the time it was argued he should have been able to count the three matches at the Confederations Cup as part of his suspension, but Fifa ruled otherwise.

"With support from Oceania, we asked Fifa to reconsider the case," said New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum. "Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke has asked the head of their disciplinary committee to reconsider their decision under the provision of exceptional circumstances.

"There were a number of mitigating factors in our failure to lodge the appeal in time which led to Fifa upholding the original decision. We are hopeful they will now rule in Glen's favour," said van Hattum.

Moss, who vied with World Cup hero Mark Paston at the Wellington Phoenix last season, was seen as first choice by All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, but that battle is now much closer than it might have been.

Moss played against world champions Italy in the Confederations Cup warm-up and in the three cup matches against Spain, South Africa and Iraq, drawing praise for some strong showings.

Since Moss joined the Melbourne Victory, Paston has played almost all matches for the Phoenix and been in good touch.

Meanwhile, Herbert will not accompany van Hattum to South Africa for the December 5 World Cup draw.

Herbert will remain at home to be with the Phoenix for their crucial December 4 A-League home game with Melbourne.

"It's not the end of the world," said van Hattum, who will have the company of high performance manager Alex Chiet and media manager Jamie Scott.