New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert is positive that his players will not be struck by first night nerves as they play Slovakia on Tuesday.
The All Whites are appearing in the finals for only the second time and, having lost all three matches in Spain in 1982, are still looking for a first point on football’s biggest stage.
“There are a few nerves, a sense of anticipation,” admitted Herbert. “But that is not a bad thing. The players are very focused on what they have to do,” he said.
Regarded as one of the weakest squads in the tournament, New Zealand will have their work cut out containing a talented Slovakia side. A surprise friendly win over Serbia in the build-up to the tournament was proof that Herbert’s squad can get the better of more technically gifted opponents.
Captain Ryan Nelsen, who also skippers Blackburn in the English Premier League and is New Zealand’s best-known player internationally, said he and his team-mates were itching to get going. “There is only so much training and preparation work you can do. The country’s buzzing and we just want to get started and be part of it,” he said.
Herbert’s options have been restricted by the loss of Tim Brown, who will not be risked against the Slovakians as he recovers from shoulder surgery but should take field against Italy.
In his absence, Ivan Vicelich will share responsibility for keeping tabs on Slovakia’s captain Marek Hamsik, with veteran Simon Elliott. — AFP