
Big interest in All Whites' training
The All Whites completed their first training session today in the plush surrounds of LA Galaxy's home ground.
The All Whites completed their first training session today in the plush surrounds of LA Galaxy's home ground.
He "retired" more than five years ago but Ivan Vicelich will be a key figure for the All Whites on Thursday.
Next Thursday, the All Whites will be entering the most formidable fortress in world sport.
The All Whites are well versed in demanding travel schedules but what they are about to undertake over the next two weeks is at the extreme end of the scale.
With the timing and circumstances of Winston Reid's withdrawal from the All Whites after injuring an ankle in training, it is easy to get carried away with hyperbole but Ivan Vicelich provides some context.
Attacking trio Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood and Marco Rojas have returned to the All Whites squad to face Mexico later this month.
Just 11 days out from the All Whites' most important game in four years, NZ Football and the Phoenix are embroiled in a Mexican standoff.
The All Whites have never won on Mexican soil but they at least have a pedigree of solid performances in the country, which will need to be emulated in November.
The All Whites would take any result against Mexico in their World Cup playoff next month, but more than 30 years ago, at a ground that holds 100,000 fewer than the famous Azteca Stadium.
Four years ago, Rory Fallon made his All Whites debut a month before New Zealand's World Cup playoff against Bahrain.
It's known as the Hex and Mexico might feel they have been cursed in their quest for a place at next year's World Cup.
If the All Whites, as expected, face Mexico in November's World Cup playoffs, it won't just be NZ versus the might of Mexico - it will be the Kiwis against the rest of the footballing world.
The All Whites are still attempting to arrange international opposition in preparation for November's World Cup play-off, but they may end up facing two club sides.
The All Whites are likely to play two games against Caribbean and Central American opposition in October, with Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, El Salvador and Guatemala possible opponents.