Former All Whites' player Brian Turner believes Ryan Thomas will be crucial to New Zealand's chances of securing a positive result against Peru in Wellington on Saturday.
While all eyes have been on English Premier League stars Winston Reid and Chris Wood in the lead up to the first leg of the intercontinental playoff match, Turner feels the action taking place between the defender and the forward will be the deciding factor, and picked out the Dutch-based winger as the catalyst.
"I think Ryan Thomas will have a big role to play in this game," Turner said.
"The game will be won and lost in the midfield sort of battle and who can control that midfield and control the pace of the game and control the sort of possession stakes, is going to the team at the end of day that comes out with the right result."
Turner likened the 22-year-old's role to that of former All White Simon Elliot, who he had previously coached as an assistant to Ricki Herbert during their unbeaten 2010 World Cup campaign.
"He will have a big responsibility in terms of he's got to take up a role like Simon Elliot did when he played in 2010," Turner said.
"Simon was a world-class midfield player and he enabled the 2010 team to be able to foot it with the best countries in the world.
"He could adjust the pace of the game and he knew when to go forward, when to not go forward and just keep the ball and maintain possession."
Turner is optimistic about New Zealand's chances of beating the South American side and booking their place in Russia next year, but is wary of the obstacle that lies ahead of them.
"This is an enormous challenge for this All Whites team, and it's a great opportunity for them, but it's going to be tough," Turner said.
"They must start the game well, and control the game, and keep the pace of the game to their level because this teams' not number 10 in the world for no reason."
Newshub.
