The team take on Bahrain at the stadium in the second leg of the qualifier with the prospect of making the World Cup finals for the first time in 27 years.
Having drawn 0-0 when the teams met for the first leg in Manama last month, New Zealand now need a win to seal their spot in the finals in South Africa.
Under the away goals rule, Bahrain would go through if there was a score draw.
Another 0-0 deadlock would mean extra time with a penalty shootout if no goals were scored.
At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Herbert said he would be keen to keep the players together and out of the media glare today.
"We'll try and do something collective, it's difficult in the city because every person you walk by has an acknowledgement of the game. Whilst that's fantastic, it's kind of a space we need to avoid tomorrow," he said.
With 35,500 people set to pack the stadium, the significance of the game is likely to hit the team with full force when they come through the tunnel tonight.
Herbert said he was pleased with how the players had dealt with the pressure throughout the training week.
"I've liked what I've seen, there's a spring in everyone's step, there's been a very positive approach to everything we've done," he said.
"As the clock runs down why wouldn't there be pressure and tension, and excitement? But they'll handle it, definitely."
Speaking about his opposition, Herbert said there were several worries for him.
"They're a technically good side, they've got pace. I think they'll keep coming and that's been evident in their away fixtures, and in some ways you could argue they've been a better team away from home," he said.
"We're under no illusion about what the task is going to be, but where we sit, and what we've done throughout the week, we feel confident."
The team were ready for a tight game, Herbert said, and had trained for the possibility of a penalty shootout.
He said a pecking order had been established for who would kick in case of that scenario, but there was a chance that could change tonight.
"Our outcome for the match is pretty clear, we need to win the football match. We've talked about situations that may occur and how we might deal with those."
Bahrain coach Milan Macala also said he was expecting a tight match, but that he was confident his team could come through.
"I think it'll be a very tough game, a good game," he said.
"In the first leg I think we were the better team, but here, perhaps the situation will be different."
After being beaten by Trinidad and Tobago in a qualifier for the 2006 World Cup, Macala said his team were determined to get a place in the finals for the first time.
"Because (New Zealand) played in 1982 in Spain, I hope that (they) give us a chance to play our game in the finals," he said.
