Make no mistake about it, Anthony Hudson has the match he wanted and now it's all about achieving the result a nation desires.
The All Whites will play Peru, home and away next month, for a spot in the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, after the South American side navigated its way through a dramatic day of qualification football.
Needing a win to guarantee at least a playoff with New Zealand, Peru's 1-1 draw with Colombia ended up being just enough, as Chile and Paraguay fell to Brazil and Venezuela respectively.
The All Whites coach believes avoiding the likes of Argentina and the aforementioned Chile is a massive win for his side, as they look to win a place at a third World Cup.
"Whoever we got, it was going to be a tough game," Hudson told reporters. "If we are sitting here, talking about playing Argentina, then yes, that is a massive uphill battle.
"From my position, Peru is the team I would have liked to have played and now we can start planning."
The first leg is scheduled for Wellington on either November 9 or 10, with the away leg in Lima on November 14.
Hudson said three-years of planning have led to this final push towards Russia and despite the high level of opponent, the 36-year-old is brimming with confidence that his team can and will get the job done.
"For us to get there, we have to be at our very best. [It's} the biggest performance of our three-years together and if we can deliver that, then we have a chance.
"Peru are very good, they are highly ranked and they got a great result against Argentina in qualification, but I feel, out of all of them, we can take confidence out of having to play them."
In 2009, the Westpac Stadium faithful played their role in the 1-0 win over Bahrain that earned the All Whites a trip to South Africa.
A sea of white greeted the visitors that night and a raucous crowd cheered every moment on one of the most memorable nights in New Zealand sporting history.
Hudson is imploring football fans to turn the heat up even more, when Peru visits the 'Caketin'.
"We need a big crowd and we need a big atmosphere," Hudson said. "Every mistake they [Peru] make, the crowd needs to be all over it - it just adds to the pressure and we need that, we need that at home.
"Our home fans for this game really are a 12th man. We need them to put pressure on the opposition and encourage us.
"Home advantage is a big thing for us. Just the travel alone for Peru is a big thing - the jetlag, the foreign conditions - things that we are now used too.
"These are the things that will come into play."
Hudson added that recent results away from home and against quality opposition have given his players confidence that they can compete against the world's elite sides.
A gallant 2-1 loss against a very good Japan outfit last week in Nagoya was the latest example of an improving side that can hold its own in foreign conditions.
Hudson believes results in the past 12 months show his side are ready for the challenge.
"We have competed against top teams - USA away, Mexico away and now Japan away. We know we can compete with anyone.
"Now we are at home for the first game and, like I said, the players believe and I would love to get the message across to the fans that we have a good team we have a serious chance.
"We are looking forward to this a great deal."
Hudson expects a full squad of players to be available and, barring injury, Winston Reid is likely to lead the side.
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