AFP/Wellington

Herbert, who confirmed after the World Cup qualification loss to Mexico that he was standing down after eight years in charge, said New Zealand should follow Australian football, which switched from Oceania to Asia in 2006.

He offered similar reasons to those cited by Socceroos management when they made the move — pointing to the lack of any serious challenge from Oceania teams,  which comprise mostly of small Pacific island states.

Speaking after New Zealand went down 9-3 on aggregate to Mexico in the two-legged qualification tie, Herbert said All Whites players needed meaningful opposition if they were to develop and reach the World Cup.

“Geographically, we’re hampered... If you went into a group of 10 meaningful international fixtures (they) are going to be incredibly testing. New Zealand needs these challenges, these players need challenges,” he said.

He said Australia’s youth teams had found the transition to Asia difficult at times but it would help them improve over the long-term. “Internationally, it will only stand them in good stead and why wouldn’t we want that,” he added.

Oceania is the weakest of the six FIFA confederations and does not have an automatic berth at the 2014 World Cup.

Instead, top qualifier New Zealand faced a two-leg playoff against the fourth-placed Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) side, in this case Mexico.

The Asian confederation gets four direct World Cup berths, with a fifth team receiving a chance to qualify through a playoff against a South American team.

The weakness of some Oceania nations has resulted a string of lop-sided results, most notably when Australia defeated American Samoa 31-0 in 2001, a record score in international football.

Herbert said he was satisfied with his tenure at the All Whites, the highlight of which was qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. The New Zealanders were undefeated in the group stages of the tournament in South Africa, even managing a draw with the then-defending champions Italy before bowing out.

“I’m going to wake up in the morning thinking the game is in a very healthy position. I go out with my head held high and very, very proud actually,” Herbert said.

Herbert had been appointed to the role in 2005 and rebuilt the side, ultimately culminating in the team qualifying for their second World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.

Herbert had also been criticised by some local pundits for being too defensive, though yesterday he embraced an all-out attacking approach in an effort to overturn the Azteca deficit.

What was more encouraging, however, was the age of some of the players he entrusted to do the job that gave New Zealand fans some hope of the future.

Herbert rejigged his defence with 18-year-old Bill Tuiloma starting at left-back for just his second cap, while 20-year-old Storm Roux made his debut at right-back.

The 20-year-old Louis Fenton also impressed on debut when he replaced the injured Tuiloma in the second half and with Roux switching to his preferred left side he managed to play a lot better than in the first half when Mexico attacked the wide channels outside him and in between centre-back Andrew Durante.

Kosta Barbarouses (23) and Marco Rojas (22) and two 26-year-olds in Chris James and Michael McGlinchey linked together well and also provided attacking thrust from the midfield.

Injured captain Winston Reid is 25 and with 23-year-old stand-in captain Tommy Smith should provide an incoming coach with a solid central defensive pairing while striker Chris Wood turns 22 next month.

“The very inexperienced team that started and was introduced off the bench showed some wonderful potential,” Herbert added. “I look forward to 2018 and buying a ticket to watch a pretty talented team.”

Herbert also urged New Zealand Football to organise more matches against higher-quality opposition

“I always wanted to pit the team against top sides and this young group needs that right now. I think with that sort of preparation and investment, why couldn’t they go to Russia in 2018?” he asked.