New Zealand Looking Forward To Thailand Tests
 

  New Zealand boss Ricki Herbert is looking forward to a mini-tour of Thailand next week.
  Herbert takes his team to Bangkok to face the Thai national team on Saturday and then a select XI three days later.
  It is a useful opportunity for the players to spend time training together ahead of June’s Confederations Cup, when the Oceanic champions take on South Africa, Spain and Iraq.
  "Time together is hugely important," Herbert said, according to New Zealand media.
  "The difficulty we have when we play big crucial matches is a lack of time.
  "We've got players scattered around the world now, and it's not easy from a logistical point of view." Ryan Nelsen from Blackburn Rovers will be one of the players making the journey.
  "This tour is about us, spending time with the players, looking at what we need to achieve later this year as well,"
  Herbert added.  "I think if we can bed that down, put some clarity around it and get players comfortable with those aims then that'll only help in the long run. "It's seven days working together, seeing the players, having time to communicate face-to-face and having a look at the tactics and strategies we're going to evolve later on." Thailand are coached by former English international Peter Reid.
  "Thailand are in good form and their results recently have been very interesting," said Herbert. "We do know they'll be mobile, technically very good and have pace around the pitch." Goalkeepers: Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory) Defenders: Kris Bouckenooghe (Club Roeselare, Belgium), Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls, US), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), David Mulligan (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers, England), Aaron Scott (Waitakere United) Midfielders: Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes, US), Chris James (Tampere United, Finland), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew, US) Forwards: Kris Bright (Panserraikas FC, Greece), Jeremy Brockie (North Queensland Fury), Chris Killen (Celtic, Scotland), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Jarrod Smith (Seattle Sounders, US).