Defender Tommy Smith says his New Zealand side ought to progress from next month’s World Cup first stage qualifying games being played in the Solomon Islands, despite the heat.
The All Whites play friendlies against Honduras (May 23rd) and El Salvador (May 26th) in Texas before they travel to the Solomon Islands for the Oceania Nations Cup, the first stage of qualifying for the World Cup in 2014. The New Zealanders take on Fiji (June 2nd), Papua New Guinea (June 4th) and the hosts (June 6th) with all the matches played in the capital Honiara.
Smith, who flies out to join up with the squad in Texas on Monday, told the club site: "There is an expectation for us to get through from the Oceania group. We're the most experienced team, now that Australia have left that qualifying section.
"I've not played in the qualifiers before. On paper we should be OK but you never know in football and we certainly can't take the games lightly.
"It's going to be a challenge playing in temperatures of 35 degrees in the middle of the day as well, with a 12.30pm kick-off. That can affect things."
Smith, who has won nine full caps, is also expected to be in the New Zealand U23 squad — the Oly Whites - who play Belarus, Brazil and Egypt at the Olympics later in the summer, matches which mean he will miss much of the Blues’ pre-season programme.