It was not good for the heart but it was good for the soul.
That is basically how All Whites coach Ricki Herbert described his side's last-minute win against New Caledonia at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.
Defender Tommy Smith nodded one over the keeper to seal the dramatic win.
The 2-1 victory means the All Whites have secured Oceania's place in the intercontinental playoff against a Concacaf (North and Central America) nation in November.
It also means the team can relax when they play the Solomon Islands in Honiara on Tuesday. Herbert even suggested wholesale changes were on the cards and a little holiday in order.
''We got we needed and whilst at the end of the day it wasn't the best of performances, it gives us a chance,'' he said, referring to the World Cup berth up for grabs for the winner of the intercontinental playoff.
''I'm delighted. We can look forward to November with real confidence now.''
The side which takes the field for the game against the Solomon Islands is likely to be vastly different. The All Whites have 10 players on yellow cards and for them to play in the dead rubber makes very little sense.
''That is in our benefit,'' he said, when asked if those players would skip the game.
''It doesn't matter, does it? We can go there and probably enjoy three days and walk away with whatever.
''I'll try and get a game myself,'' he joked.
''But I think it is really important that we grow this group. That model worked last time and I think this team can only go from strength to strength.''
