New Zealand – The country, the football
New Zealand is an island country containing two landmasses: the North Island, and the South Island. The country’s territory lies in the south-western part of the Pacific Ocean, and it also comprises several smaller islands among which are the Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands.
New Zealand has a total area of approximately 268,021 km2, and it ranks in 123rd position worldwide in the World Population Ranking with a population estimated to be around the number of 4,351,430 people.
The national football team of New Zealand is known as the All Whites, and it is a member of the Oceania Football Confederation. The country is a rare participant at the FIFA World Cup with only two qualifications into the tournament in their history; and their record in football hasn’t really been satisfying, as the All Whites were humiliated during the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Still, the OFC Nations Cup title holders have the option of learning from their previous mistake and make theirselves a new image altogether in South Africa next summer.
New Zealand – The road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals
The World Cup qualifying procedures in the Oceania Football Confederation were different from what was seen in other confederations. Because OFC is the only football confederation which does not have an assured spot in the FIFA World Cup finals, the World Cup qualification in the Oceanian zone was merged with the OFC Nations Cup tournament.
The latest edition of this tournament took place in 2008, but due to the change in the tournament’s format (in addition to Australia’s move from the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation), only four teams participated in the competition. These countries were New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Zealand of course – who had an automatic ticket for the contest.
The 2008 OFC Nations Cup – which was organized as a home-and-away round-robin tournament – saw its first match on October 17, 2007, between Fiji and New Zealand, at the Churchill Park in Lautoka. The All Whites fortunately won this game 2-0 with goals coming from Vicelich and Smeltz in the first and second half.
A month later, New Zealand played as the away side against Vanuatu, in a game which they won 2-1 thanks to a late winner from Mulligan. Four days later, in the return leg encounter, the All Whites imposed theirselves 4-1 over Vanuatu in Wellington, subsequent to doubles from Mulligan and Smeltz.
On the 6th of September 2008, New Zealand defeated New Caledonia 3-1 at the Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, in Noumea. The All Whites first took the lead on 16 minutes after a goal from Sigmund, before their opponents equalized 10 minutes in second half. Smeltz then showed his worth in his national team by scoring two goals before the final whistle to give his country the 3 points.
On September 10, 2008, Smelt was again involved in the 3-0 demolition of New Caledonia at home in Auckland, as the All White cemented their place at the top of the standings. Nine days later, New Zealand suffered their first defeat of the tournament when they lost 2-0 to Fiji in Lautoka. This loss was actually the last match of the All Whites in the 2008 OFC Nations Cup, but in any case, New Zealand had nothing to worry about, as they had already sealed their position at the top with a large gap.
In the long run, New Zealand won this tournament, and this success granted them a place in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. Trough this triumph, they were also eligible for a two-legged World Cup qualifying play-off against AFC fifth-placed team Bahrain.
The first leg of the play-off between Bahrain and New Zealand took place on October 10, at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa; but none of the sides were able to produce goals in front of 37,000 spectators.
The return leg match came four days later, and there, in front of 36,000 football lovers at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, Fallon scored a 45th minute goal to give New Zealand a 1-0 win which sent the All Whites to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
New Zealand – 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage
Afterward, the All Whites were inserted in Pot 2 ahead of the final draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage, along with other nations from Asia, North and Central America, and the Caribbean. On December 4, 2009, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, New Zealand landed in the World Cup finals’ Group F with title holders Italy, and Paraguay, as well as Slovakia.
This is not an easy group for rare participants such as New Zealand, but once they have reached South Africa, there only have to endure the consequences, as they cannot do otherwise.
Match-day 1: New Zealand vs Slovakia
Somehow, this will be the perfect fixture for a start from the point of view of the All Whites. This match is scheduled to take place on June 15, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, at 13:30 local time. Just like New Zealand, Slovakia are considered as underdogs in the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa, and as result, it will be a good chance for New Zealand to grab this first opportunity to warm up.
Well, it is true that quick judgments on a team can sometimes lead to strange upsets. But in the case of New Zealand who were trampled at the 2009 Confederations Cup, playing against Slovakia might determine how ready they are to face their next opponents.
Match-day 2: Italy vs New Zealand
After an ordinary meeting against Slovakia on match-day 1, the All Whites will have to prepare to face one the world’s best sides: Italy. This interesting game is set to kick-off on June 20, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, at 16:00 local time.
The All Whites were heavily destroyed by Spain during the 2009 FIFA Confederations, and with this in mind, it isn’t difficult to select the Italians as clear favorites in this match. The Azzurri sometimes show unconvincing performances, but scoring goals is never too hard for them.
Conversely, one might recall the All Whites’ 4-3 defeat to Italy in their Confederations Cup preparation match which occurred shortly before the tournament. In truth, this result was far from being disgraceful, but still, taking this into account, one can expect New Zealand to focus on the few positives they manage to get out of this game, instead of concentrating on snatching what would be a stunning victory.
Match-day 3: Paraguay vs New Zealand
Paraguay and New Zealand will meet each other at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on June 24, at 16:00 local time.
Paraguay is a dangerous South American side; they were even winners over Argentina during the South American World Cup qualifiers. Their mentality, as well as their success on the field has been growing in recent times, and reaching the knockout phase is their primary goal at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Playing against New Zealand might serve as a bonus for them to earn more points in order to realize their dream, and so, the All Whites are advised to play cautiously so as to get at least a draw.
New Zealand – Quick Analysis: Expectations from the country and its top stars
New Zealand are yet to possess big stars on whom they can rely at the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa, but they can still put a part of their hopes on their best players, among which are Smeltz and Chris Killen.
Shane Smeltz:
The German-born striker Shane Smeltz was highly instrumental for New Zealand during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in the Oceanian zone. He kept scoring regularly for his country, and knowing the incredible striker he is, it is not surprising if New Zealand fans plant a part of their trust in him ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Smeltz didn’t enjoy a brilliant run at the 2009 Confederations Cup though, and for that reason, he will certainly want to make an impact for the All Whites when he returns to South Africa in June.
Chris Killen:
The 28-year old striker from New Zealand Chris Killen will be needed in the All Whites’ squad which will travel to South Africa in the summer of 2010. The forward – who was the scorer of two goals against Italy in New Zealand’s preparation match against the Azzurri ahead of the 2009 Confederations Cup – has around 30 appearances for his senior national football team, and he has already reached 10 goals for the All Whites.
His presence for New Zealand at the World Cup could be instrumental from a general point of view, unless he faces any physical obstacle.
Ricky Herbert:
The New Zealand head coach Ricky Herbert cannot boast of having a well-equipped national team.
Yet, the inclusion of Smeltz and Chris Killen could be very beneficial for him, and also for the whole nation which will be behind him as long as the All Whites feature in the 2010 World Cup finals.
The coach has been managing New Zealand since 2005, but since his entry in the team, there hasn’t been any major global achievement for the country. The World Cup in South Africa will be a great opportunity for him to elevate his standard in football, and change the image the world has on his side.
New Zealand – 2010 FIFA World Cup squad
Goalkeepers:
Glen Moss; James Bannatyne; Mark Paston
Defenders:
Andrew Boyens; Tommy Smith; Ivan Vicelich; Tony Lochhead; Ryan Nelsen; Winston Reid; Ben Sigmund
Midfielders:
Jeremy Brockie; Leo Bertos; Michael McGlinchey; David Mulligan; Jeremy Christie; Andy Barron; Tim Brown; Aaron Clapham; Simon Elliott
Forwards:
Chris Wood; Shane Smeltz; Rory Fallon; Chris Killen
New Zealand – Relevant quote
Brian Turner: “Our game against Italy will be a hard one”
The New Zealand assistant coach Brian Turner accepted that New Zealand’s game against Italy was going to be a very tough one, but he declared that we the little experience his side had, they could set their eyes on a victory. Below is the quote of Brian Turner on this issue:
“We are really hoping to get a good result against Italy in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup finals. We have not participated in a World Cup tournament in 28 years now, and that is why we will have to give our very best against Italy.”
“This will be a great challenge for us (New Zealand), but our game before the Confederations Cup should give us a lot of confidence; for our aim is to gain the respect from people all over the world.”
New Zealand – FIFA World Cup record
New Zealand have qualified only twice for the World Cup in their football history, and below is their record in the tournament:
2010: Qualified as participants
1982: Group stage
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