A pair of former Tauranga Boys' College teammates will reignite their impressive footballing connection when making their highly-anticipated All Whites debut against Japan.

Ryan Thomas and Tyler Boyd training in Tokyo. Photo: Shane Wenzlick/Photosport.co.nz

Tyler Boyd and Ryan Thomas, both 19-years-old, have been handed their first starts as part of a youthful All Whites side taking on the World Cup bound Japanese at the National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo tonight.

Thomas, who plays his club football with Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle, will play on the left side of the New Zealand midfield with long-time friend and fellow team mate Boyd, plying his trade with the Wellington Phoenix, named to start up front alongside Leicester City FC's striker Chris Wood.

In the back four, Wellington Phoenix's Michael Boxall will make his first All Whites appearance since 2012, while Blackburn Rovers' Tim Payne will play in front of the New Zealand defensive group in a 4-1-3-2 formation.

The Japanese are officially ranked 50th in the world standings with the Kiwis back in 89th.

All White's interim head coach Neil Emblen says the side has been picked for a dual purpose; attack with pace when the opportunity arises and pester and stifle their opponents when the Blue Samurai have possession.

And after the failed World Cup qualification games against Mexico in November, Emblem and the side will be looking to start a fresh era with some top football.

'We want to defend from the front so we are putting out attacking minded and forward thinking players but within that they've got to know their defensive structure,” says Emblen.

'It is an attacking looking team and I want us to try and create chances and try and score some goals but also at the same time stay hard to beat, keep a good shape and make it hard to be played through in the middle of pitch.”

Emblem is backing his young charges, which also includes four other players with less than 10 caps – Storm Roux, Bill Tuiloma, Boxall and Payne, to produce against a top level opponent bound for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil later this year.

'It's exciting, they've all got good pace and tempo to their games, the way they close people down, the way they use the ball and manipulate the ball and try to create two v one situations with their pace is an exciting prospect for us.

'The players we've picked are similar to the Japan players in my eyes,” says Emblen.

Emblen believes he has the right mix throughout the squad, picking players who replicate the Japanese style – something he wants to emulate in the squads future.

'I think everybody will look after each other. There is inexperience around but everybody will look out for each other and try and make Wednesday night a successful performance.

'We want it to be a good experience and to do that we need to work hard first and foremost and hopefully the quality and the result will come through.”

Wednesday night's encounter brings together the two teams after their original meeting was cancelled as a result of the earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, the same year the Christchurch earthquake hit.

It is also the final match at the Japanese venue with the stadium set to be rebuilt ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

'It's more than just a football match. It showcases the togetherness and spirit of two nations which have suffered the same heartbreak. We are proud to be here to play a part in the game tomorrow.”

The All Whites versus Japan match is on Sky Sport 1 at 11.30pm tonight.