The All Whites have assembled in Auckland for their first match since the World Cup in South Africa in June, against Honduras here tomorrow night.
It also marks the first international on home soil since the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Wellington in November last year.
While this match and Tuesday's meeting with Paraguay in Wellington are being viewed as something of a World Cup celebration, Paston is fully aware of the need to not only perform, but get results.
The game reached giddy heights following the All Whites' three draws in South Africa -- against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay -- but New Zealand must build on those performances, especially at home, with greater public expectations a natural consequence of their success.
"I think there is a lot more expectation, but that's not a bad thing," Paston said after the team's first training session yesterday.
"We're a lot more high profile now. Maybe people get a little bit carried away with it -- we've been punching well above our weight -- but in saying that we're going out to win a game of football (against Honduras), and there's no reason why we can't."
No surprises then that Paston balks at the term "friendly", which is being bandied about to describe these two internationals.
"A friendly is a bit misleading, there's no such thing. They should probably be called something else. We will be going out to win them."
Paston, one of New Zealand's standout players at the World Cup, has shrugged off a disappointing month at club level and declared himself ready to start between the sticks.
An injury saw him lose his spot at Wellington Phoenix to Australian Danny Vukovic, and Vukovic's subsequent form has kept Paston on the sidelines for five weeks.
He is accustomed to coming in from the cold for big matches, but admits it is not ideal for a goalkeeper to not be getting regular gametime.
"I've sort of been injured a lot in the past and had to come in and play games, and I think I've done all right, so having a month off is really not a big issue for me.
"I feel like I've had plenty of football in the last few months."
Paston, 33, who remains unsure about his longer term future in soccer but is in no rush to make any decisions, will get the nod over an in-form Glen Moss for tomorrow's match.
Ivan Vicelich moves from the midfield to replace Tommy Smith (back injury) at the back, with vice-captain Tim Brown, who did not play at the World Cup because of a shoulder injury, assuming Vicelich's midfield role.
Jeremy Brockie has the inside running to start on the right side of midfield, with Leo Bertos moving to the left flank in place of Tony Lochhead (groin injury).
Chris Wood, 18, currently playing his club soccer at Barnsley on loan from English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, will replace Rory Fallon (hernia injury) and start in a front three with Shane Smeltz and Chris Killen.
