The All Whites may have avoided the South American big guns for their intercontinental playoff, but defender Andrew Durante admits they still have a massive task on their hands in overcoming Peru.
Peru finished fifth in the South American Football Confederation behind Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina - who all automatically qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
They are currently ranked 12th in the FIFA world rankings, their highest-ever position, and will be looking to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982.
Although drawing Peru arguably gives the All Whites the best possible chance to qualify for Russia in 2018, Durante stresses expectations should be carefully measured.
"Everyone is saying how great it is to get Peru," said Durante.
"It is good to get Peru considering who it could have been – Argentina, or Columbia or Chile.
"I think everybody needs to understand that it is still a huge task for us.
"We are not thinking we are already there or anything but it is the best of a good bunch so now we have a chance to analyse them and see what their strengths and weaknesses are.
Four years ago, the All Whites faced Mexico in an intercontinental which did not end well.
They lost 5-1 in the first leg in Mexico and the second leg 4-2 in New Zealand, which saw the 24th-ranked side qualify for the World Cup.
This time around the first leg will be played in New Zealand, something that Durante thinks will benefit the All Whites.
"It gives us a real good chance to set us up for the second leg.
"Obviously, last time versus Mexico was extremely difficult when we came back trying to get back a 5-1 deficit back which was always going to be difficult.
"Now we have a chance to get a good result, go over there and approach the game differently than if we had them first."
Even though the All Whites went into that second-leg facing an uphill battle, Durante loved the atmosphere and is hoping it will be the same in Wellington this time around.
"Four years ago in the Mexico game, even though we were kind of out of it already, it was still an awesome experience with the crowd there.
"All the singing and cheering for us so we have an opportunity to get off to a good start in the first leg so I know Westpac will be pumping.
"Everybody is excited about it; tickets will go like hot cakes I'd imagine so it will be a great occasion in three weeks' time."
The first leg will be the first time the two nations have faced each other.
History doesn’t bode well for the All Whites. New Zealand has never beaten a team from South America, with three draws and 11 losses against teams from the continent.
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