Hudson’s World Cup doubts gone
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson made quite the admission about his Fifa World Cup dream on Sunday.
New Zealand’s manager didn’t truly believe his side could achieve their World Cup dream until recently, with their performances in 2017 convincing him they are capable of a massive upset.
Words are one thing, and Hudson had always maintained that his group of footballers could make the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia by defeating a South American team over two legs.
But that belief certainly wasn’t as strong as it is now, with the All Whites 90 minutes away from what would be a playoff to rock the footballing world.
A draw with goals scored or a win in Lima for NZ on Thursday and the All Whites will knock Peru out of World Cup contention, booking one of the final places for the tournament in Russia.
‘‘I’m in a good place because I trust the players,’’ Hudson said. ‘‘I really do. And it hasn’t always been like this, don’t get me wrong. I’ve spoken about the ambition of the team and we want to get to the World Cup, but a year ago, a year and a half ago, I didn’t believe like I do now.
‘‘The team is built in such a way. The players have given me and given the country, the national team, the way they’re working, the way they’re giving to each other, it gives me so much belief.
‘‘If anything, I want the players to trust themselves even more. I want them to believe even more, and I know they are.
‘‘They are a serious team and if we get it right, and we’re on our way, you can see we’re developing, then we’re going to be a very good football team. We have to show that on Wednesday night (Thursday NZ time).’’
Hudson has always maintained that he had belief in this New Zealand team, but Sunday was the first time he suggested he wasn’t sold on their potential success.
There were rumours swirling midway through 2016 that Hudson had the feelers out, looking for options away from New Zealand in the coaching game.
None of those proved true, and Hudson always maintained he was here for the World Cup cycle, but his mood during these past few months has certainly been a far sight from 2016.
In Sunday’s press conference, and throughout the week, Hudson has been in almost jovial mood and it’s been infectious. His players were calm and confident taking on the world’s 10th best side, according to the Fifa rankings, mirroring the vibes their manager was giving off.
‘‘I’m good. I just had a massage, so I’m nice and relaxed,’’ Hudson quipped Sunday.
‘‘The mood is good. The players are pleased. Rightly so, they should be very proud of themselves. The atmosphere at breakfast this morning, everyone was happy and light and the mood was good.
‘‘I just think we have even more belief now that we’re at the halfway point and really, we’re going into a scenario where the pressure is all on Peru now.
‘‘The scenario for us is one that we’re really embracing in the sense that, the environment, the pressure is all on them from the home fans.
‘‘We know what to expect going into the game. They have to come out and score, so it will be a different type of game than [Saturday]. We don’t have to be in a rush to go out and score.’’
Hudson clearly believes Peru will need two or more goals at home to win the tie, confident his side will score away from home.
‘‘We know we’re going to score. We believe that,’’ Hudson said. ‘‘Whenever we’ve gone away from home, Japan, Mexico, we’ve always scored away from home, and we’re a better team than we were back then.
‘‘It’s a good scenario for us to be in.’’ Game on for Thursday, then.