Young captain gives All Whites positive start towards

THE ALL Whites have planted their first step towards reaching the 2014 World Cup with a functional 1-0 win over Fiji.

But, it’s on a path – not to mention a pitch – with plenty of pot-holes yet to be negotiated.

Twenty-two-year-old captain Tommy Smith’s first international goal in the ninth minute yesterday won New Zealand’s opening game of the Oceania Nations Cup in Honiara, Solomon Islands – the crucial Pacific tournament which doubles as qualification for an allimportant 2014 World Cup playoff.

But in a second half where Fiji created a number of scoring opportunities, the All Whites were fortunate to claim all three points in difficult circumstances.

After starting brightly, New Zealand’s grasp on the game understandably dwindled late under punishing 35°C temperatures and 70% humidity.

But with four games over the next eight days in similar conditions, and on a pitch which is already deteriorating, things are unlikely to get any easier.

Hosts of the event, the Fifafunded Oceania Football Confederation, have scheduled the entire tournament to be played on the same Honiara pitch – 16 games in 10 days.

Prior to kick-off between New Zealand and Fiji yesterday, ground staff prepared the surface with crude flax brushes. And by the end of the game, just the third tournament match, the surface was already cutting up – with scattered storms and showers forecast.

Post-match, Herbert emphasised the need for substance over style against Fiji and that he must now closely monitor the recovery of his squad in the early stages of a gruelling 10 day-period.

‘‘We got the three

points.