The All Whites remain cautious of their opponents at the OFC Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea despite a comfortable win in their opening game.
Rory Fallon celebrates after scoring for All Whites, OFC Nations Cup 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The New Zealanders beat Fiji 3-1 in their opening game at the weekend in what was expected to be their toughest opponent in pool play.
This evening they take on Vanuatu, who were beaten 1-nil by the Solomon Islands in their first game.
Vanutau coach Moise Poida knows that it will not get any easier against the All Whites, but he believes his side is more than capable of causing an upset.
"We know New Zealand is a better team, they have players from overseas and they have a good game strategy. But I saw their game against Fiji and I think the way they played in that match was not the New Zealand we were thinking of, so I think we can do something."
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson admitted they weren't at their best against Fiji but he was still happy with his players' determination to get a result.
The All Whites coach handed debuts to four players - defenders Luke Adams and Kip Colvey, as well as midfielders Monty Patterson and Luka Prelevic against Fiji.
Against Vanutau he will have the option to make some changes to the starting eleven by calling on some of the late arrivals, including Kosta Barbarouses, Marco Rojas, Jeremy Brockie and Michael Boxall.
New Zealand will again go into the match against Vanuatu as clear favourites but Hudson insists his side won't be taking anything for granted.
"These teams are very dangerous and we saw that last year in the islands. They've got some players that can hurt any team."
-OFC
