WELLINGTON Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has included eight members of his club side in his latest national squad as New Zealand prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Glen Moss, Mark Paston, Jeremy Christie, Shane Smeltz, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Tony Lochhead and Ben Sigmund are the Phoenix players chosen with former Westpac squad players Steven Old and Jacob Spoonley also included.
The All Whites lead Oceania World Cup qualifying with nine points, one ahead of New Caledonia who they meet in Noumea on September 6 and at North Harbour Stadium four days later.
One victory for Herbert's men will be enough to clinch a spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup and a two-legged play-off with the fifth best team from Asia in late 2009 for a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Not that Herbert is taking anything for granted. He told nzfootball.co.nz: "I don’t think it’s ever simple, hence why we’ve named a strong squad and plan to take full advantage of the FIFA window.
“When you looked at the schedule at the start of the season, New Caledonia away was always the toughest game, and we still need at least one win from those matches."
The All Whites lead Oceania World Cup qualifying with nine points, one ahead of New Caledonia who they meet in Noumea on September 6 and at North Harbour Stadium four days later.
One victory for Herbert's men will be enough to clinch a spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup and a two-legged play-off with the fifth best team from Asia in late 2009 for a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Not that Herbert is taking anything for granted. He told nzfootball.co.nz: "I don’t think it’s ever simple, hence why we’ve named a strong squad and plan to take full advantage of the FIFA window.
“When you looked at the schedule at the start of the season, New Caledonia away was always the toughest game, and we still need at least one win from those matches."
Related Articles
Is New Zealand ready for its own A-League derby?
Adelaide’s returning Reds has Kurz purring as Finals approach
