Ricki wants to keep adventurous spirit

BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

RICKI Herbert has pledged to continue with the All Whites' adventurous approach and vows his side aren't going to the World Cup to make up the numbers.

A week on from New Zealand's stunning win over Bahrain that qualified them for the finals in South Africa next year, Herbert has had time to reflect but also to think ahead.

And his resolve to see New Zealand prove competitive in sport's biggest arena has only deepened.

"We aren't going to shy away from the challenge," Herbert told Sunday News.

"We aren't there to make up the numbers – we will certainly go there in an extremely positive and confident frame of mind.

"We are back on the world stage. It's phenomenal and we want to go out there and do a good job.

"We are certainly under no illusions what the challenges are going to be like.

"But at the end of the day we are there for a reason as far as being competitive and maximising what we can.

"It's a strong group of players that will want to give themselves every chance. And I think we have a responsibility as a coaching staff to support that ambition and look at what we can provide them with tactically."

That involves a real intent to push on with an attacking philosophy so obvious in the win over Bahrain in Wellington.

Herbert and his assistant Brian Turner are keen to maximise the strikeforce of Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Chris Wood and Shane Smeltz.

"As a nation we have to grow in what we do as a football team," Herbert said.

"I think that's my message. If we don't take this chance now – and over the next 10 years – to produce a side that can be a little more adventurous, then we are always going to get hammered.

"If we shy away from it we are never going to bridge the gap."

The task now is to get his side more games because, quite clearly, they are getting better with each outing.

Those opportunities will only come in official Fifa windows. There is a limited chance in the new year, although that will probably rule out rushing their overseas stars home.

The bulk of the build-up will come in the month before the World Cup kicks off on June 11 with a tour in the pipeline.

The All Whites do have a squad of seasoned professionals, playing their trade in competitions around the world.

It is in contrast to the semi-professional heroes of 1982. As New Zealand's football boss Charlie Dempsey declared when that team qualified: "We have won our World Cup".

New Zealand weren't disgraced in the `82 tournament in Spain but they were outclassed in losing 5-2 to Scotland, 3-0 to Russia and 4-0 to Brazil.

Herbert, a key defender in that team and now coach of the latest stars, is clearly tiring of comparisons as he plots the new campaign.

"I don't know how people can say only two of our (2009) team would get in that team," he said. "I played in that team and I'm coaching this team and trust me, there would be a lot more than two.

"But the reality is the game has evolved a lot whether it's in New Zealand or Brazil.

"We have players at some good clubs, they are on the pitch day-to-day training and playing a lot more regularly. So there probably are some things in our favour now."

- © Fairfax NZ News