The pressure’s on you, Peru
In many ways, the All Whites are no match for Peru.
The much-maligned Fifa rankings show that. Even though those are generally inaccurate, the 10thranked team (Peru) playing the 122nd-ranked side (New Zealand) indicates a certain gulf between the two nations.
But the All Whites believe they have a number of factors in their favour for the World Cup playoff, which starts with the first leg in Wellington on Saturday.
Chief among them is World Cup playoff experience, with the bulk of the squad having played in either the triumph over Bahrain in 2009 or the disaster against Mexico in 2013.
Peru haven’t been to a World Cup since 1982. Since then, they haven’t been involved in a playoff like this, rarely sighted at the pointy end of the South American World Cup qualifying table.
All Whites striker Shane Smeltz said they would be feeling the pressure of expectation from the football-mad country of more than 30 million people.
‘‘Everyone is saying we’re underdogs, which we are. You only have to look at the Fifa rankings to see that.
‘‘But they’re going to come here and they’re going to feel the pinch as well. They haven’t been to a World Cup since ‘82, they’ve got a whole nation riding on them.
‘‘Yeah, they play big games in their region against big nations, but this is a different story when you’re playing in the last leg to make a World Cup. It doesn’t matter who you are, you’re going to feel it.’’
The 36-year-old said they had learned from the Mexico fiasco of four years ago, which ended in a 9-3 aggregate loss, and were much better prepared this time around.
His All Whites team-mate, Tommy Smith, said there was a quiet confidence in the camp that they would be able to cause Peru problems.
‘‘We know what they’re going to offer and we think if we can get on top at home especially, then the pressure might get to them.
‘‘We’ve been well versed in how they’re going to play and how we’re going to combat their strengths and exploit their weaknesses.’’
Whether that develops into a high-pressing game which coach Anthony Hudson likes to talk up remains to be seen. They did that well against Mexico at the Confederations Cup this year, and for parts of the second half in a friendly against Japan in October.
Smith wasn’t giving away too much of their tactics, but said it would be about good balance.
‘‘I don’t think you can dictate before the game has started when and where you’re going to press, defend, attack.
‘‘As players and a group, you’ve got to pick your moments and when to capitalise on those opportunities. It’s a hard one to put your finger on before the event has started.’’
Smith reported he was in top condition after recently recovering from a long-term hamstring injury.
That would mean he would be in line to start alongside captain Winston Reid in the back three.
If so, it would be the first time the two have played alongside each other since since October 2013 against Trinidad and Tobago, due to Smith making himself unavailable for a couple of years and Reid missing time through injury. maintaining a Shane Smeltz 36 Go¨ppingen (Germany) Striker Borneo (Indonesia), Wellington Phoenix (New Zealand), Kedah (Malaysia), Sydney FC, Perth Glory, Gold Coast United (Australia) 58 24 up a one-year spell with Indonesian side Borneo. But he was giving little away as to what his future holds.
‘‘I haven’t thought beyond these two games. I’ve just wrapped up with my club. I’m contracted until the end of the year so it’s just full focus on these two games.’’
With 24 goals in 58 appearances, Smeltz will go down as one of New Zealand’s best goalscorers, with his goal against Italy at the 2010 World Cup the clear highlight.
Although he has scored just once in the past five years for the All Whites, Smeltz said he was still capable of producing another moment of magic.
‘‘If the opportunity comes my way, that’s why I’m here. Everyone is here to help out and pull their weight where they can.’’