The All Whites are appearing in the finals for only the second time and, having lost all three matches in Spain in 1982, are still looking for a first point on football’s biggest stage. “There are a few nerves, a sense of anticipation,” admitted Herbert. “But that is not a bad thing. The players are…
Messages have been flooding in to the team via letters, email, Facebook and Twitter and skipper Nelsen says the backing since the team assembled in mid-May has been overwhelming. “It’s fantastic. Even back in New Zealand we could feel the support,” Nelsen said at a press conference following a team training session at match venue…
The imposing marksman has already played two of his West Bromwich Albion team mates – Slovenia’s Robert Koren and Chile’s Gonzalo Jara – during the build-up to South Africa and could face another in the Pool F opener in Rustenburg.“I’ve only got to face [Slovakia defender] Marek Cech on Tuesday now and I will complete…
Oceania Football Confederation men’s player of the year and the squad’s most capped player Ivan Vicelich (66 caps) will partner Simon Elliott – who is only three caps behind the Auckland City captain – in the centre of midfield.The rest of the team has a settled look about it after encouraging performances against Australia, Serbia…
Today, New Zealand will finally make their long-awaited FIFA World Cup comeback exactly 28 years to the day since a group of amateur players from the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ took their place alongside the globe’s elite.Much has changed for the All Whites since that hot European summer nearly three decades ago, and…
The vice-captain has recovered well from the problem suffered against Australia on May 24 but is not yet 100 per cent fit, with officials having until 24 hours before Tuesday’s opener against Slovakia to decide whether to drop him and call a replacement.Brown admits it’s a relief just to have made the trip.“I wouldn’t want…
Fenedy Mausafakalo got the scoring off to a start when he chipped the ball over the advancing Spirit 08 goalkeeper in the 16th minute.Just 11 minutes later, Solomon Islands international Batram Suri added a superb goal to give Amical a 2-0 lead, before a Richard Garae strike put the game beyond Spirit 08’s reach.Fleet-footed striker…
With New Zealand having reached the finals for the first time since 1982 and for only the second time in their history, the Middlesbrough forward is determined to make the most of the experience, starting with the Group F encounter against Slovakia on Tuesday.“It’s got to be one of the biggest games in the history…
A shoulder injury to Tim Brown – whose participation in the whole tournament could be in doubt – has created a problem for Herbert ahead of Tuesday’s Group F clash against Slovakia in Rustenburg.Brown and former English Premier League player Simon Elliott had formed an impressive combination at the heart of the All Whites midfield…
The All Whites are rank outsiders for the FIFA World Cup but caught the eye recently with a friendly win over Serbia.“We have seen the New Zealanders play against Serbia,” says Manchester City youngster Weiss, who is the son and namesake of coach Vladimir Weiss.“We know what we can expect from them. We will obviously…