There should be no mistaking that the All Whites go into tomorrow's World Cup play-off against Peru in Wellington as unequivocal underdogs, but that doesn't mean New Zealand don't have a sniff.
The South Americans sit 10th in the FIFA World Rankings (112 places above New Zealand), unlucky not to secure direct qualification into Russia in the South American standings.
Los Incas haven't lost a match since this time last year, going down 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier against Brazil, managing positive results against the continent's more illustrious nations - including a 2-1 win over Uruguay and draws with Argentina and Colombia.
Peru were of course led in those matches by their attacking spearhead and skipper, Paolo Guerrero.
However last week after a spectacular turn of events, the striker will now be forced to watch the game at Westpac Stadium from home. It comes after it was revealed the striker produced "adverse" results following a drug test after his side's World Cup qualifier against Argentina last month.
Guerrero is revered as a national hero back in Peru and his absence is a huge blow not only to the team's psyche, but also tactically and could be a catalyst for an All Whites upset.
Height advantage
The All Whites host Peru in their World Cup qualifier in Wellington on Saturday.
New Zealand will need to play to their strengths against what will be a skillful, zippy and technical team that will look to keep possession on the ground.
However, one area where the South American's may struggle is in the air.
It's an option which the All Whites could seriously exploit in search of a crucial goal as the Kiwis tower over the many of the Peruvian players with New Zealand's squad featuring nine outfield players who are at least six foot tall compared to Peru's five (all defenders).
Among those included in Anthony Hudson's squad for tomorrow's clash are centre backs Winston Reid, Tommy Smith, Themistokis Tzimopolulos, Michael Boxall and striker Chris Wood, who could all be aerial threats.
The All Whites should look to attack the ball in the air at every opportunity.
Set-piece goals the key to All Whites glory
If Kiwi football fans think back to some of NZ's most famous goals in recent memory, many may think back to Ryan Nelsen's late goal against Australia that secured a famous victory in 2002 to win the OFC Nations Cup and qualification to the 2003 Confederations Cup.
Or the most famous match on home soil in 2009 when Rory Fallon soared above the Bahraini defence to smash home a cracking header to seal World Cup football for the first time since 1982.
The Peruvian team trained at QBE Stadium this afternoon in Albany.
And who could forget Winston Reid's rise to fame with his last-minute header to deny Slovakia a win at the 2010 World Cup, a year after Fallon's effort in Wellington, or Shane Smeltz's toe poke effort to secure a shock draw with defending champions Italy.
What do all these goals have in common? They were all from set-piece moves.
This is not to say that the All Whites should turn their backs on Anthony Hudson's development of the side into a more free-flowing and possession-friendly side, it's merely about playing to the All Whites' historical strengths.
If New Zealand are to create history against their heavily favoured South American opponents, the All Whites will have to hit them where it hurts and that means being absolutely clinical during corners and free-kicks to provide attacking opportunities in the air for the likes of Chris Wood or Winston Reid.
Smash and grab before parking the bus
The footballing terms "smash and grab" and "park the bus" best describe just how the All Whites will need to play tomorrow.
The 35-year-old said he’s happy to play a leadership role in the team.
It's a style of play that would see New Zealand sit back, absorb Peru's attacks while waiting for opportunities on the break or from set-pieces before getting the ball to the likes of Chris Wood in the penalty area.
It may not be pretty, it may not be to the purists' liking, but it's effective and can be done with the type of players the All Whites have when searching for a goal and defending a score line.
The All Whites aren't playing to become the next Barcelona or Manchester City, they're in it to claw a win or a draw and stifle Peru's attack at all costs.
Strongest All Whites' side ever
All Whites coach Anthony Hudson has pulled together an incredibly talented side that, arguably, is its best ever.
New Zealand face the world number 10 ranked side for a place at next year's World Cup.
Premier League players Winston Reid and Chris Wood are joined by other Europe-based players Tommy Smith, Marco Rojas, Ryan Thomas, who are finally in the squad all at once.
In saying this, Hudson will likely continue with his favoured formation of playing a 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 with Chris Wood as a focal point in the attack, accompanied by Ryan Thomas and Marco Rojas slightly behind the Burnley striker.
The midfield will likely feature Michael McGlinchey, Clayton Lewis or Bill Tuiloma with Thomas and Rojas dropping back in support.
In defence Stefan Marinovic should start in goal, with Winston Reid likely to be supported by Tommy Smith and Michael Boxall who could also feature at right-back with Kip Colvey or Deklan Wynne to feature on the left.
However, don't rule out Storm Roux or Themistokis Tzimopolulos to be in the starting side either (Dane Ingham is injured).
Going forward, the All Whites will look to pepper Peru's penalty area with crosses at every opportunity, especially from the flanks. This is where the wing backs will bomb up the pitch and combine with Thomas and Rojas who will drift wide to stretch the South American's defence and create space for Wood.
Another option is to use Wood's physicality and stature to bully the South American defence off the ball and play with his back to goal, linking up with either Thomas or Ryan to create scoring opportunities.
New Zealand's greatest chances will come from counter attacks, defensive lapses and in the air following set-pieces and crosses, opportunities will arise - and Winston Reid's men must take them.
Defence will however be where the tie is won or lost.
Peter Taylor was hired by NZ Football to help link UK based players with NZ’s plans.
If New Zealand produces a defensive masterclass and secures a scoreless draw in Wellington, it should be considered an extremely positive result.
With a well executed game plan, a solid defence and a dash of luck, the All Whites could be packing their bags for Russia.
By 1 NEWS NOW sports producer Victor Waters
POSSIBLE XI – 5-4-1
Goalkeeper: Marinovic
Defence
RB: Boxall/Roux
RCB: Reid
CB: Tzimopolulos/Boxall
LCB: Smith
LB: Wynne/Colvey
Midfield
LDM: McGlinchey
RDM: Lewis
LM: Thomas
RM: Rojas
Attack
ST: Wood
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