Hudson’s focus now on Confederations Cup
WELLINGTON: All Whites coach Anthony Hudson was happy enough to tick off another win over Fiji as his team moved a step closer to the next year’s World Cup in Russia.
But while quietly satisfied, the 36yearold Englishman was not about to go overboard with the celebrations — he knows how much work still needs to be done.
The 20 win in Wellington on Tuesday replicated the scoreline from the first leg in Lautoka two days earlier, and means the side is through to the next stage of Oceania World Cup qualifying.
Hudson was able to give more of his squad game time, and the results were encouraging — the All Whites dominated possession and created plenty of chances.
But at the final whistle only two of those had been converted, young midfielder Ryan Thomas backing up his firsthalf strike with a 68thminute header to see New Zealand home in clinical fashion.
It was a vastly improvement on last year’s Oceania Nations Cup, in which it was pushed to a penalty shootout before beating Papua New Guinea.
‘‘We were a lot better with the ball, a lot more dominant in possession,’’ Hudson said.
‘‘The mentality of the group and the work ethic was very, very good over both games.’’
New Zealand is now through to the final home and away Oceania qualifying series in September, most probably against Tahiti.
But Hudson’s focus is centred firmly the Confederations Cup in June, when the All Whites will meet host Russia, Mexico and Portugal in pool play.
‘‘The squad’s in a good place, but we have so much work to do between now and then in terms of preparation.
‘‘The key for us, as a smaller nation in that tournament, is we have to be fitter than all the teams we play against. We have to be, as a starting point.’’
With that in mind, Hudson had no hesitation in releasing captain Chris Wood after the inform Leeds United striker took a knock in the back during the Lautoka match.
‘‘I didn’t want to take any risks with him, especially at this stage of the
season,’’ he said.
Hudson now refocuses before selecting his 23strong squad to contest warmup matches against Belarus and Northern Ireland before going on to the
Confederations Cup.
‘‘It’s a really good position to be in. Now I have a period of time to keep watching players, and then I’ll make some decisions.’’ — NZN