Neither would have been easy but nor should it be to qualify for the WC. I think we're a shot of qualifying if we can get out of the Azteca with our WC hopes still having a pulse. Although the odds are against us what a night could be instore at Westpac.
We have the advantage of playing at home second - All Whites to nick it in a penalty shoot-out.
Home field advantage cannot be overstated. The US has hundreds of massive stadiums, but we play Mexico in Columbus, Ohio at a run down MLS stadium with a capacity of 22,555 because when we have traditionally drawn Mexico at home in qualifiers, it has been in the dead of winter. Below freezing temperatures, windy and an almost 100% home fan advantage sitting right on top of them has weighed on them heavily. Despite success at newer stadiums with larger crowds, we continue to use the La Guerra Fria (the cold war) to our mental advantage, and their mental detriment. Find and use a stadium that is the complete opposite of what they are used to. They are not at all mentally tough.
Yes you are a football wise, I know that you play in Columbus or Boston so to avoid being outnumbered and in the cold, i dont know the time schedules from FIFA , but if it is up to the MEXICO FOOT FEDERATION , the 1st play-off will be at 2 pm or 3pm, to heat up the kiwis, and they will try to make them use the dark shirts that is worst for hot , wet conditions rather than the white shirt.
ESPN has leaned on the FMF to play their games in the evening, with disastrous results, so as to get the best TV ratings possible for the 30+ million Mexicans living the US. I wonder if they will continue to take the easy cash, or will buck the trend and play in the middle of the day when they historically do to make maximum use of the oppressive heat and smog. I would not be surprised if the game is scheduled for 1pm or 2pm.