A large Kiwi media contingent has travelled to South Africa to follow the All Whites’ progress at the event.
But on Monday there were around 60 journalists and cameramen at Serengeti Estate and Golf Resort, where the players have been staying.
Coach Ricki Herbert and several players were in hot demand for interviews with the likes of ESPN, South African television and other foreign media when they fronted up to talk.
Players said they had spoken to journalists from many different countries and a variety of organisations.
Defender Tony Lochhead, for instance, has been interviewed by an Israeli journalist.
“Apparently they want a game against us in New Zealand,” he says. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many media – everyone is recognising what we’ve done.”
Goalkeeper Mark Paston says all the interest and attention is a “good sign”.
“It shows how far New Zealand football has come now. A year or two ago you wouldn’t have dreamed of this sort of interest, so it’s fantastic.”
Paston says the players have also been made aware of the interest and support from people back home.
“We were told after the Slovakia game that the country has gone pretty mad. I’m sure it’s no different after this result (against Italy).”
Lochhead says the support from the Kiwi fans at Nelspruit for the clash against Italy was incredible.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s hard to describe. You get goosebumps thinking about it.
“After the game, we went back to the locker room and everyone was exhausted. But someone said: ‘Come back out, all the Kiwi supporters are still out there’. So we went back out and you get another burst of energy. Everyone was buzzing.
“We got a result against the fifth best team in the world, at the World Cup.”
Prime Minister John Key was at the Italy game and went to the dressing room afterwards to congratulate the players.
Paston thinks it shows how far football in New Zealand has come to have the Prime Minister go to the game and meet with the players.
Lochhead says Key was very proud of what the team had achieved.
“He was just happy to be a part of it. It was great to have him there – it was a pretty special moment.”
Story courtesy of NZF Media.
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