A positive display from the All Whites in sweltering Texas conditions on Thursday (NZT) earned a 2-2 draw with El Salvador but has taken a physical toll on the players. Herbert was waiting to see how some pulled up but says his preference is to make few changes.
“It was a tough game physically for the players given where they were at,” Herbert says.
“At this stage won’t make a lot of changes to the starting 11 but may have a different variety of substitutions from the El Salvador game.”
Herbert also indicated he wasn’t about to change from the favoured 3-4-3 formation that has served the team well since late 2009.
“The current shape has proven again that it’s a good way for us to play and if we wanted to go to a back four then I would be comfortable switching to that in the Solomon Islands, especially with the arrival of Winston Reid and Tony Lochhead giving us extra depth in defence.”
A potential tweak to the formation however could see Herbert switch to a narrower forward line at some stage during the match with twin strikers backed up by a playmaker in behind instead of the three-man forward line employed against El Salvador.
“We’ve got options to play two at the top with one in behind rather than one striker with two wider and we may look to experiment there. We set out to achieve a certain objective against El Salvador and I thought we did that really well.
“We may just challenge the team again to try something different but again it’s down to personnel. Chris Wood didn’t play a lot in the last match so he’s a chance and Jeremy Brockie is a player I’d like to use up top so he is a chance as well.”
The All Whites are using the two matches in Texas to warm up for the OFC Nations Cup in the Solomon Islands, which doubles as the beginning of a World Cup path that could culminate in a inter-continental play-off against a North or Central American nation in November 2013.
While Honiara is the focus for now, Herbert acknowledges the long-term value of matches like Sunday’s.
“It’s perfect for us. Both these sides are going to be very strong contenders if not to qualify automatically then certainly for that play-off spot.”
The last time New Zealand met Honduras, in October 2010, Wood netted his first international goal to secure a 1-1 draw at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium.
The match kicks off at 12.30pm Sunday (NZT) with live coverage on Sky Sports 3.
New Zealand v Honduras
May 26, 2012
Cotton Bowl Stadium
Dallas, USA
7.30pm local (12.30pm May 27 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 3
New Zealand (from): Mark PASTON (GK), Jake GLEESON (RGK), Glen MOSS (RGK), Michael BOXALL, Ben SIGMUND, Tommy SMITH, Jeremy BROCKIE, Aaron CLAPHAM, Cameron HOWIESON, Adam MCGEORGE, Tim PAYNE, Leo BERTOS, Ivan VICELICH, Michael MCGLINCHEY, Ian HOGG, Marco ROJAS, Shane SMELTZ, Kosta BARBAROUSES, Chris WOOD
Coach: Ricki HERBERT
Honduras (from): José MENDOZA (GK), Noel VALLADARES (GK), Maynor FIGUEROA, Víctor BERNÁRDEZ, Emilio IZAGUIRRE, Mauricio SABILLÓN, Johnny LEVERÓN, Mario René BERRÍOS, Juan Carlos GARCIA, Javier Arnaldo PORTILLO, Brayan BECKELE, Wilmer CRISANTO, Irving GUERRERO, Rommel MURILLO, Daniel TEJADA, Wilson PALACIOS, Óscar GARCÍA, Roger ESPINOZA, Alfredo MEJÍA, Édder DELGADO, Melvin VALLADARES, Carlos DISCUA, Hendry CORDOBA, David SUAZO, Carlo COSTLY, Allan LALÍN, Anthony LOZANO, Kervin JOHNSON
Coach: Luis Fernando SUÁREZ
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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