Soccer: Jacobs picks attacking side to play Vietnam

Coach Stu Jacobs is in a bullish mood ahead of New Zealand A's tough Agribank Cup opener against hosts Vietnam late tonight (Wednesday NZT).

"We didn't come here to finish second," said Jacobs after naming his starting 11 for the 11.30pm NZT kickoff at Hanoi's My Dinh National Stadium.

Jacobs will unleash an attack-bent line-up, to be led by All Whites midfielder Andy Barron, on the Vietnamese national team in the second match of the US$70,000 (NZ$107,000) tournament.

All Whites goalkeeper Mark Paston will marshal a green back four of Sam Peters, Phil Edginton, Jack Pelter and Ian Hogg while Melbourne-based All White Jeff Fleming, Barron and Fulham FC playmaker Chris James make up the midfield three.

Up front are New Zealand Knights winger Michael White, Sydney FC striker Jeremy Brockie and Hawke's Bay United flyer Sam Jenkins.

Only YoungHeart Manawatu striker Nick Roydhouse (ankle) and the late arriving Waikato FC fullback Tim Schaeffers, an 11th hour replacement for injured Auckland City and All Whites defender James Pritchett (thigh), were not considered for selection.

Both are expected to be fit for New Zealand A's second match against Thailand on Friday.

Jacobs expects Vietnam to be New Zealand's toughest opponents despite being rated 20 places below them on the latest Fifa world rankings.

New Zealand, 131 in the rankings, face 114-ranked Thailand on Friday (9.25pm NZT) and 98th-rated Bahrain on Sunday (9.25pm).

New Zealand A v Vietnam: Mark Paston (goalkeeper), Sam Peters, Phil Edginton, Jack Pelter, Ian Hogg, Jeff Fleming, Andy Barron, Chris James, Michael White, Jeremy Brockie, Sam Jenkins. Substitutes: Jacob Spoonley, Cole Peverley, Michael Boxall, Leo Shin, Shaun Van Rooyen, Michael Gwyther.

- NZPA