All Whites coach Anthony Hudson is bullish about his side's chances of reaching next year's World Cup in Russia following yesterday's tense scoreless draw against Peru in Wellington.
The Englishman says the equation is simple.
"All we really have to do is score one goal and it adds a huge amount of pressure on them."
Scoring chances were few and far between in the capital - a defensive lapse early on nearly gifting Peru a goal - while half the stadium thought Ryan Thomas had scored when his blistering shot late on shaved the outside of Pedro Gallese's left post.
Peru enjoyed most of the possession, but as the game progressed, seemed content to probe without landing the killer blow.
While it ensured they didn't go behind, it also means the tie remains on a knife edge as they head back to a nation willing them on to their first World Cup since 1982.
Anthony Hudson says his boys are ready to take on Peru tomorrow. (Source: Other)
Hudson's mantra has been it's the full 180 minutes that counts, and as those wind down in Lima, it could ramp up the pressure the South Americans.
"We don’t need to go and chase the game over there, and I imagine they probably do," he said.
It's still a tall ask for New Zealand, but with hopes remaining high that Chris Wood will play a larger role second time around, Hudson was optimistic they could progress.
"We’re confident, we’ve got enough belief, that we’re gone away to some tough places and scored.
"We have a huge amount of confidence with Chris Wood with a few days recovery under his belt."
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