Injury has robbed the All Whites of captain Ryan Nelsen and striker Rory Fallon, while uncapped goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has also been withdrawn from the national squad to play China in an international soccer friendly at Wuhan, China, on Saturday morning (NZT).
Blackburn Rovers defender Nelsen has withdrawn because of a knee injury, Plymouth-Argyle striker Fallon has a groin injury, while coach Ricki Herbert has allowed Gleeson to remain with his United States club, Portland Timbers, following an injury to their first-string stopper.
Herbert said losing both his captain and an experienced player in Fallon ahead of the match was "a disappointment".
"I think the confidence, leadership and experience that both Ryan and Rory bring is going to be a loss for the team," Herbert said.
"However, as always in situations like this, it gives other players an opportunity to impress as we start out on the road to Brazil 2014 (the next World Cup)."
Herbert has called up former age group defender Michael Boxall and Auckland City goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley.
Boxall, recently signed by Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps, was delighted to receive a call-up.
"This is a huge honour to be selected in the New Zealand set-up after the experiences I had with the under-20 and under-23 sides," he said.
The loss of Nelsen leaves Andy Boyens as the most capped central defender at Herbert's disposal, though 71-cap midfield veteran Ivan Vicelich is capable of playing in the back four.
Fallon's withdrawal leaves Kosta Barbarouses, Chris Wood, Shane Smeltz and Chris Killen as the four strikers.
Herbert is unlikely to add another striker to the squad for just the one match. A second, scheduled to be played against Japan in Tokyo next week, was cancelled because of the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in that country.
