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Squad Announcement
"Probably The Best Side We’ve Had … Outside Of ‘82!"
by Jeremy Ruane
The words of coach Ricki Herbert sum up how highly he regards the All Whites squad named on May 10 to represent New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa in June.
It was certainly a challenge for Herbert and his assistants, Brian Turner and Raul Blanco, to weigh up the pros and cons of each candidate, and a task the trio committed no little amount of time to - 3am on the morning of the squad announcement was the approximate time they finalised everything, not that they were clock-watching while debating matters.
"This is the most important decision of my life", says the All Whites coach. "It was extremely tough. But in my heart, I truly feel that we’ve got a complete squad. It’s balanced, it’s young, it’s vibrant, it’s got a future, it’s got a wealth of experience, it’s been born and bred through five years of hard work and dedication, and competition against some of the best sides in the world.
"Certainly on behalf of the management we thoroughly look forward to working with this group over the next couple of months. I’m sure they’ll perform with credibility and to the standard that we’re all hoping to see".
Needless to say, not all the options were contentious. Captain Ryan Nelsen, for instance, is a no-brainer. So, too, the bulk of the squad who secured New Zealand’s passage to South Africa via that 1-0 win over Bahrain on an unforgettable night for NZ football on November 14, 2009.
Herbert, in the euphoria of the post-match celebrations that night, made a spur of the moment remark which suggested that the eighteen players involved on that momentous occasion could plan to be in the Republic next month.
Things have moved on since then, however, with first Tommy Smith then Winston Reid following Rory Fallon’s lead in taking advantage of a change in FIFA’s regulations regarding players who have appeared in another nation’s colours during their developmental years.
Their appearance "on the radar", as Herbert describes it, proved to be bad news for one of the qualifying squad members. Aaron Scott finds himself among the seven players on stand-by should anything untoward, e.g. injury, happen to one of the chosen 23, although in fairness, his failure to secure a starting spot in Waitakere United’s regular line-up meant he was bound to be the subject of more scrutiny than most come selection time.
"It’s my responsibility to pick the best players to go to the World Cup", Herbert declared. "The transition back into club football has been unfortunate for Aaron. Currently his form hasn’t been where we think it should be. As well, Winston and Tommy have certainly increased the quality and depth of players from a defensive point of view.
"Winston’s playing in a very highly distinguished European league", continued Herbert as he expanded on the abilities of the FC Midtjylland (Denmark) defender, whom he has yet to see in action. "He’s a regular member of that playing squad, and having spoken to the technical staff there know he’s extremely well regarded.
"For such a young player to be involved in UEFA competitions and cups, etc., it’s by no means a punt, I think, from my perspective. If you put a rule across the balance of some players in the squad, he certainly sits pretty high".
Another player whom Herbert holds in high regard is David Mulligan, who hasn’t played a game for Wellington Phoenix this season - he has since been released by the club. Yet he is one of two uncontracted players - Simon Elliott is the other - named in the squad. "I’ll go into bat here for David", says the coach, "because I think he’s been extremely unfairly treated in the media.
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"I think he’s been the victim of being in New Zealand and domestically looked at. Why is he any different to Chris Killen, who couldn’t get a game at Celtic? He’s at a professional football club where the manager - myself in this position - has elected not to play him. The club’s had an extremely good season, so selection was always difficult for David.
"His future is to play on a regular basis, like we’d encourage anyone to do. Given that we don’t have an option for him outside the first team at Wellington, a move and regular football is hopefully what he’s going to experience over the next few years".
Expect to see Mulligan employed in a midfield role if selected for the All Whites, alongside the lone uncapped member of the squad, Canterbury United’s Aaron Clapham. "He didn’t do a lot wrong in camp", says Herbert of one of his eye-catching selections.
"I think his performances progressed through the week, and probably the position we would look to play him in - wide on the right - lends itself to a bit more of an opportunity than not.
"I think Aaron’s next step would certainly need to be abroad or into professional football", continued New Zealand’s coach. "I wouldn’t say it’s a negative thing for players playing locally, but I think players involved in day-to-day activity at professional football clubs can only produce a better outcome.
"In Aaron, we see that, and hopefully we can support him in moving his career forward. Certainly from my perspective, I think has a good future in the game, and I think it’s important that we progress that future for Aaron".
One player whose selection caught many off-guard was someone who has experienced plenty of football both at home and abroad over recent years with a variety of clubs, including his current employers, Tampa Bay Rowdies.
"Jeremy Christie is someone we’ve known and worked with", grinned Herbert as he relished a bit of one-upmanship at the media’s expense. "He’s experienced, he’s versatile, and I think that’s probably got him over the line.
"We’ve been open to say that right back is a problem for us. Not that I really want to play with a back four, but if we do elect to change, for whatever reason - probably more so around injuries - then we may have an option there".
Where the youngest member of the 1982 squad is likely to make personnel changes is in midfield, where, against Bahrain, the All Whites employed two central midfielders and two wing-backs.
"We’re extremely well covered at the back, and I would go as far as to say that defensively and attacking wise, I don’t think the nation’s been in a better state - we’ve got some absolute quality coming through there", says Herbert proudly.
"But given the quality we’re going to face, not only at the World Cup, but all the way through the build-up programme, I think potentially a holding midfield player could be employed - just a little bit of fine-tuning, really. I think there’s a little bit of versatility there, and I think that’s influenced our decisions around selection".
Although 23 players will go to South Africa, not all will get game-time at the World Cup. Indeed, Herbert is realistic enough to suggest that no more than seventeen players may be required for New Zealand’s games against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.
"It’s a good squad with depth. I wouldn’t say the back end of the group would never get time, but I think systematically, once we get under way, that there would be a similar look about the team that would take part in most games - certainly at the World Cup".
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