All Whites brace for tougher test against hosts

Three months into his tenure as All Whites coach, Fritz Schmid can claim a win over a nation from outside the Oceania confederation, after his charges beat Chinese Taipei 1-0 yesterday.

Critics will say, ‘It’s only Chinese Taipei,’ but when wins of that nature have been hard to come by – this was just the 14th in the past two decades – it’s a feat worth noting. Years from now, shed of context as one result in a list of many, all people will see is that a Myer Bevan penalty was what it took for them to taste victory.

The All Whites did not create as many chances as they did in losing to Kenya, but they did enough to be disappointed that they didn’t score more. Chinese Taipei appeared a stronger team than Kenya – at the very least, a more organised one – but the lack of firepower in the All Whites’ ranks was again clear to see.

Their toughest test in the Intercontinental Cup will come tomorrow (kickoff 2.30am NZT) against the hosts, India, who have already dispatched Chinese Taipei 5-0 and Kenya

3-0, in a match where the Mumbai public responded to a plea from their captain, Sunil Chhetri, selling out the

8000-capacity football arena.

The All Whites have less than 48 hours to rest and recover ahead of that match, while India have had an extra day, as was the case when they played Kenya – something Schmid was at pains to point out in his postmatch press conference.

Local media were understandably eager to get his thoughts on their team, and he said India would be ‘‘a very tough opponent’’.

‘‘We’ve seen their performances in the first two games and they will be a very big challenge for us. On the other hand, we have an opportunity to play in front of a great and big crowd and to take another challenge and say we’re ready and prepared to face the strongest team in the tournament.’’

A win over India would secure the All Whites a place in Monday’s final – which would almost certainly be a rematch.

Regardless of the permutations, Schmid has seen another 90 minutes of football from his young and inexperienced squad, which will help as his evaluation phase continues.

He has now given all but three of his 23 players a run in India – midfielders Andre de Jong and Moses Dyer and goalkeeper Michael Woud are the unlucky trio.

That he’s also got a win against a team from outside the Pacific Islands is a bonus. The All Whites managed that only once under former coach Anthony Hudson.