The optimism is high in the All Whites camp according to defender Andrew Durante, as they prepare to face Peru for a spot at next year's FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Thirteen players named were in the All Whites squad in 2013, when they were thumped by Mexico 9-3 on aggregate over two legs.
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Durante admits the team was not well prepared for the Mexico playoff, but told Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport that this time around, things are completely different.
"Obviously being involved within the last campaign in the Mexico, games were difficult - not just on the pitch but the build-up to it," said Durante.
"The preparation for it was nowhere near where it should have been, but this time around there are not question marks around preparation.
"We are extremely well prepared and the gaffer is always intense inside the training camp. We have already watched lots of video on Peru."
Durante has played 22 games for New Zealand since making his debut in 2013 and credits Anthony Hudson for the turn-around, which has spirits high in the New Zealand camp.
"We weren't using GPS; we weren't using heart rate monitors. There wasn't a lot of video footage, where now with the gaffer it is extremely detailed.
"Preparation is way different to where it was four years ago, and that is not a reflection on the coach four years ago; it's more so where the game has now gone too.
"The chances that have been made over the last four years is 100 percent his [Hudson's] doing, and, yes, New Zealand Football [NZF] have come to the party more on certain things. But it has been from the gaffer pushing it and demanding it.
"I'm sure he has clashed heads with NZF lots, but it is all for the better of the team."
The first leg of the two-legged playoff will be played at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, November 11, with a 4:15pm kick-off, while the second leg will be played in Lima on Thursday, November 16, at 3:15pm (NZ time).
Durante believes having the first leg in New Zealand will benefit the All Whites.
"Having that first game at home is very exciting. It's going to be exciting and be a great opportunity for us to get started on the right foot.
"Last time coming home after a 5-1 defeat it was always going to be difficult, so this time we have a real opportunity to take the game to Peru and start off on the right foot to potentially get a win and go over there. We will find it difficult but we will have to hang on to whatever we have."
Last month, Durante suffered a groin adductor strain and was initially expected to miss eight to 12 weeks with the injury. But after getting a second opinion, the 35-year-old was cleared to play.
"It has been a roller-coaster few weeks for me. Getting injured in the Sydney FC game and having scans and the initial diagnoses wasn't good.
"We hadn't got a second opinion yet but the media got wind of the first diagnosis, which was potentially eight weeks out of the game.
"I went up to Auckland and saw a groin specialist who had a different outlook on it, and he said I'd be good to go in a week or two.
"Now it's good and I'm looking forward to going into camp."
The All Whites are looking to qualify for their World Cup while Peru is looking to qualify for their first since 1982.
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