Defender Michael Boxall and the All Whites are making the quick transition to new surroundings in Oman before tomorrow's international clash at the Al Seeb Stadium.
The squad has assembled in Muscat over the past 48 hours with the players having to make the speedy adjustment to 30degC-plus temperatures as they begin preparing for their final game of 2015.
Boxall said Muscat had thrown up similar conditions to what he lived with
in South Africa with his club SuperSport United in Pretoria.
''It's pretty warm, very warm even compared to the climate in South Africa,'' Boxall said.
The 13-cap New Zealand defender said
the team had begun working on its approach to taking on the 92-ranked Oman side - yet to lose in five 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this year.
''Based on recent results, they are performing very well and are strong team.
''I think from what we've seen from the videos we were sent they've got good wide players who like to get the ball in early,'' Boxall said.
''So if we can nullify those threats, and get our quality players on the ball higher up the park, we should be in for a good shout.
''With the players we've got coming in - Woodsy [Chris Wood], Marco [Rojas] and Ryan [Thomas] - we should be able to create a lot of problems for them going forward.''
The 27-year-old Boxall echoed the thoughts of coach Anthony Hudson regarding the absence of the likes of captain Winston Reid from the tour, saying the team had history in performing against strong opponents this year, with New Zealand's young contingent stepping up.
''Obviously it's disappointing not having those experienced players here but I think the players we do have in the squad are more than capable,'' Boxall said.
''We've got the bulk of the squad which put out a very spirited performance against Korea earlier this year.''
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