New Zealand

When you think of New Zealand, you think of the All Blacks. One of, if not the best rugby team in the World. Maybe your thoughts will slip to Lord of the Rings, the scenery, the mountains, the little hobbits trying to find their way to Mordor, or the fortress that is Helms Deep. Football comes way down the list, after Kiwis, bungee jumping and sheep...

However, with Australia deciding to qualify through the Asian Federation, New Zealand had a clear path to at least the play-offs. The All Whites topped the four team group, fending off Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. This gave them a play-off against Bahrain to reach South Africa. A 0-0 draw away and a 1-0 win at home, thanks to a Rory Fallon goal and Mark Paston saving a penalty, sent the biggest New Zealand football crowd ever, into wild celebrations.

New Zealand have once before made the World Cup finals. They lost all three games in Spain 82, losing to Brazil (4-0), the Soviet (3-0) and Scotland (5-2). These two goals against Scotland are the only goals New Zealand have ever scored in the World Cup, Steve Sumner and Steve Wooddin the national heroes.

Manager Ricki Herbert was part of the national side in 82 and that experience will no doubt have given the players he manages inspiration. With the national side having so few games, only one in 2005, Herbert also manages the only professional club side in New Zealand Wellington Phoenix. They play their games in the Australian A-League and reached the Australian league finals for the first time under Herbert.
Five players play under Herbert in both teams. The keeper Mark Paston, defenders Tony Lochhead and Ben Sigmund, and midfielders Leo Bertos and Tim Brown. This continuity should hopefully aid the national side come summer, having played together all season.

Two familiar names play upfront for the All Whites. Rory Fallon plays for Plymouth Argyle whilst his strike partner Chris Killen plays for Middlesbrough. Playing off the front two Shane Smeltz will attempt to link the midfield with the forwards, in order not to leave them stranded.

However, the most recognisable player in the New Zealand squad is captain and Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen. Expect the aggressive Kiwi defender to act as a sweeper in a 5 man defence. Whether his deniable talent can prevent any goals being leaked is a sceptical conclusion.

New Zealand have been drawn in Group F with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia. Italy should easily push their Oceania opponents aside, ever though they are generally slow starters. Paraguay and Slovakia may provide some opportunity for success, but with their extremely defensive set-up, success in this case is likely to be a 0-0 draw. On this basis New Zealand may be not that exciting to watch, unless you like stern defending, however, score one and the ship is likely to sink.

Many believe that New Zealand will struggle to emulate their achievements in Spain in 82, this time round they probably won’t even score a goal. However, if Nelsen can inspire his teammates the world could witness the biggest ever celebration to a 0-0 draw...