We hear defender Michael Boxall’s thoughts on the All Whites Socceroos game

Hear Ricki Herbert’s views on how the All Whites played against the Socceroos

Get to know All Whites rising star Marco Rojas

In Adelaide with All Whites Coach Ricki Herbert before the big game against Australia

We talk to All Whites back Ben Sigmund shortly before the All Whites Socceroos game

Great to see White Noise is in Adelaide to support our boys the All Whites

June 1, 2011

DENVER, USA – The All Whites got the acid test they wanted as North American champions Mexico put three first half goals past a new-look New Zealand side at Denver’s Invesco Field on Thursday (NZT).

Already missing seven players from his wider squad through injury, and willing to throw younger players in to test their mettle against a top tier side, All Whites coach Ricki Herbert started only four of New Zealand’s World Cup regulars.

The injury crisis deepened ahead of Sunday’s trans-Tasman clash at the Adelaide Oval with four more ruled out and confirmed as non-travellers for the Australian leg of the tour.

Simon Elliott picked up a hamstring strain that medical staff believe will only be exacerbated by travel and Craig Henderson returns to Sweden after failing to recover from his existing hamstring problem.

The depth of defensive stocks against the Socceroos will be severely tested with Ivan Vicelich released to attend a family wedding and Winston Reid ruled out after straining his groin in the second half of the match.

They become additions to what has become a very long list that already includes Ryan Nelsen, Tony Lochhead, Tommy Smith, Leo Bertos, Rory Fallon and Jeremy Christie. The fitness of Marco Rojas, who missed the Denver leg with a virus, will be checked overnight to see if he is fit to join the team.

Herbert handed second caps, and first starts, to both Michael Boxall and Michael Fitzgerald in wing back roles while up front Kosta Barbarouses made just his third appearance although New Zealand never really enjoyed enough ball to their promising front players to shine.

The movement of Pablo Barrera, Giovanni Dos Santos, and Andres Guardado stretched and twisted the New Zealand defence and despite an early let off from striker Also de Nigris – who had an effort disallowed for offside – and some outstanding keeping from Glen Moss, the pressure finally told.

Former Barcelona midfielder Giovanni Dos Santos scored twice in seven minutes midway through the first period and setting up de Nigris for Mexico’s third before halftime.

With a long term view on finding the best squad to achieve the goal of qualifying for back-to-back World Cups for the first time in New Zealand’s history, Herbert was unapologetic about rolling the dice.

“It was a massive test. We were on the back foot for pretty much the whole of the match. We knew that would happen. If you came here even with your best team and fully fit you’d have a real handful,” Herbert said.

“I wanted to give those new guys a chance. A felt a bit sorry for Michael Boxall because wingback’s not his role but we’re so thin we needed to find somewhere to give him a taste of it. I think he’s got a great future with us but it’s probably in central defence and hopefully we can do that against Australia.”

The All Whites spend will spend the next morning recovering before an evening flight to Adelaide, arriving around lunchtime on Saturday. Herbert admitted it was a tough ask but said the hunger for players to push their way into his long term plans would be a large motivator.

“We’ll regroup. There’ll be chances again. People like Kosta will get another chance and Michael McGlinchey will play so again it’s just getting the balance right and getting some players time on the pitch.

“You can come here and get well beaten – we were well beaten, and it could’ve been worse for us. Credit to the guys though. At halftime we were certainly staring down the barrel and things could have looked worse for us on the score sheet. They dug deep and some of the guys that came on gave us a little bit more and there are a few positions up for grabs. We’re building a world cup squad here and there’s one or two that can push for that.”

Mexico’s next game is on Sunday as the open their CONCACAF Gold Cup defence against El Salvador.

Football International
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
June 1, 2011
Crowd: 45401

Mexico 3 (Giovanni DOS SANTOS 22’, 29’; Aldo DE NIGRIS 43’)
New Zealand 0
Halftime: 3-0

New Zealand: 1-Glen MOSS (GK), 2-Winston REID, 6-Ivan VICELICH, 7-Simon ELLIOTT (17-Aaron CLAPHAM 72’), 8-Tim BROWN, 9-Shane SMELTZ (10-Chris KILLEN 46’), 11-Kosta BARBAROUSES, 13-Michael FITZGERALD (22-Jeremy BROCKIE 46’), 15-Andrew BOYENS (4-Ben SIGMUND 72’), 16-Michael BOXALL (23-David MULLIGAN 46’), 20-Chris WOOD (14-Michael McGLINCHEY 66’).
Substitutes not used: 12-Mark PASTON (RGK), 18-Jake GLEESON (RGK).
Not available: 21-Craig HENDERSON.
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Cautions: None

Mexico: 1-Guillermo OCHOA (GK), 2-Francisco Javier RODRIGUEZ, 3-Carlos SALCIDO, 6-Gerardo TORRADO (c), 7-Pablo BARRERA (21-Christian BERMUDEZ), 8-Israel CASTRO (13-Jesus ZAVALA), 9-Aldo DE NIGRIS, 10-Giovanni DOS SANTOS (11-Angel REYNA), 15-Hector MORENO (19-Edgar DUENAS), 16-Efrain JUAREZ, 18-Andres GUARDADO (22-Elias HERNANDEZ).
Substitutes not used: 12-Alfredo TALAVERA (RGK), 23-Jonathan OROZCO (RGK).
Coach: José Manuel de la TORRE
Cautions: None

We’re at the NZ Football awards with CEO Grant McKavanagh talking the future of the All Whites

May 31, 2011

DENVER, USA – All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has handed Michael Boxall and Michael Fitzgerald their first starts in naming his line up for an international against Mexico on Thursday (NZT).

The pair made their debuts from the bench against China in March and now get their first run-on appearances on the flanks of a four man midfield at Denver’s Invesco Field.

Japan-based Fitzgerald will play on the left hand side after performing a similar role on the right as a second half substitute against China, while Vacouer Whiecaps rookie Boxall lines up on the opposite flank.

Normally a right-sided central defender but capable of playing full back as he did occasionally for the 2008 Olympic team, Boxall wasn’t fazed about adapting to the wing-back cum midfielder role.

“It’s always a big honour to get your first start for your national team and to be honest I don’t really care what position it is,” Boxall said.

“I’m just going to go out there and do the best I can. I’m sure good things will come from it. I have faith in my team mates and they have faith in me and we’ll just go out there and do a job.”

Kosta Barbarouses wins his third cap in a front three combination featuring Shane Smeltz and Barbarouses’ former New Zealand U-17 team mate Chris Wood.

Tim Brown is expected to captain the side from central midfield, where he will partner Simon Elliott, while New Zealand’s most capped player Ivan Vicelich anchors a defensive three with Winston Reid and Andrew Boyens outside him. Goalkeeper Glen Moss wins his 18th cap.

Despite a long list of injuries, the All Whites have the luxury of firepower on the bench with Chris Killen, Michael McGlinchey and Jeremy Brockie among the substitutes as New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert keeps some powder dry to balance the demands of two internationals in three days on different sides of the world.

“The group is quite depleted. It’s probably the most difficult position we’ve been in terms of players missing. But Michael Fitzgerald and Michael Boxall come straight into the side and Kosta starts.

“As we’ve said before we left New Zealand, the priority is to give these players exposure at this level, and they are going to get it.”

“We know a lot about Chris [Killen] and Jeremy [Brockie] and we’re starting to know a little bit more about Michael [McGlinchey]. Those three will probably play a more major role in the Australia game on Sunday.”

“Somewhere along the line, Michael Boxall needs exposure at this level and Michael Fitzgerald the same, while Kosta adds an exciting element.”

Midfielder Craig Henderson is struggling with a hamstring strain and is not available for selection.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 at 2pm, Thursday (NZT).

Football International
Mexico v New Zealand
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
8pm, June 1, 2011 (2pm, June 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 1

New Zealand: 1-Glen MOSS (GK), 2-Winston REID, 6-Ivan VICELICH, 7-Simon ELLIOTT, 8-Tim BROWN, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Kosta BARBAROUSES, 13-Michael FITZGERALD, 15-Andrew BOYENS,
16-Michael BOXALL, 20-Chris WOOD.
Substitutes: 4-Ben SIGMUND, 10-Chris KILLEN, 12-Mark PASTON (RGK), 14-Michael McGLINCHEY, 17-Aaron CLAPHAM, 18-Jake GLEESON (RGK), 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-David MULLIGAN.
Injured: 21-Craig HENDERSON.
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Mexico (from): Alfredo TALAVERA (GK), Guillermo OCHOA (GK), Jonathan Orozco (GK), Edgar DUENAS, Ricardo OSORIO, Jorge TORRES NILO, Efrain JUAREZ, Rafael MARQUEZ (c), Francisco Javier RODRIGUEZ, Hector MORENO, Carlos SALCIDO, Gerardo TORRADO, Antonio NAELSON, Christian BERMUDEZ, Jesus Zavala, Israel CASTRO, Andres GUARDADO, Angel REYNA, Aldo de NIGRIS, Elias HERNANDEZ, Giovanni DOS SANTOS, Pablo BARRERA.
Coach: José Manuel de la TORRE

The entire NZ and Aus based All Whites squad made a special visit to Starship Hospital on Friday night just before the NZ Football Awards.  Its fair to say that the kids made just as big an impact on the team as the team did on the kids

May 30, 2011

DENVER, USA – All Whites coach Ricki Herbert says Thursday’s international against a Mexico side just days away from their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign is exactly the type and size of challenge his players relish.

Unbeaten in their last six matches, El Tricolour head into the 12 nation tournament as slight favourites, ahead of hosts USA, to defend their North & Central American title and qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

New Zealand’s eyes are also on Brazil, but with Confederations and World Cup qualifiers not starting for the All Whites until next year, Herbert is at the early stages of constructing the core of his 2014 squad.

“The build ups are chalk and cheese really,” Herbert said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us. Playing a team at the level of Mexico with what they achieved at the World Cup and what they’re doing now is a massive challenge.”

While Herbert wasn’t due to name his side until Wednesday (NZT), he indicated he would “roll the dice a little bit” by giving starts to a couple of newer players.

“The list is pretty clear now. We’re eight or nine short from the World Cup squad [through injury and retirement] so that’s big for us in anyone’s language.

“But I’ve always said that gives opportunities to others. But these guys will relish the chance to be out there. It’s going to be tough for them, it’ll be a big night, but we’ve done it before and we’ll continue to do it.”

Mexico will be without Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez for the match at Denver’s Invesco Field. ‘Chicarito’ will join the day after the squad in time for the June 5 Gold Cup opener against El Salvador after featuring in the UEFA Champions League final in London on Saturday.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 at 2pm, Thursday (NZT).

Football International
Mexico v New Zealand
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
8pm, June 1, 2011 (2pm, June 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 1

New Zealand (from): Jake GLEESON (GK), Glen MOSS (GK), Mark PASTON (GK), Andrew BOYENS, Michael BOXALL, Michael FITZGERALD, Winston REID, Ben SIGMUND, Ivan VICELICH, Jeremy BROCKIE, Tim BROWN, Aaron CLAPHAM, Simon ELLIOTT, David MULLIGAN, Michael McGLINCHEY, Kosta BARBAROUSES, Craig HENDERSON, Chris KILLEN, Shane SMELTZ, Chris WOOD.

Mexico (from): Alfredo TALAVERA (GK), Guillermo OCHOA (GK), Jonathan Orozco (GK), Edgar DUENAS, Ricardo OSORIO, Jorge TORRES NILO, Efrain JUAREZ, Rafael MARQUEZ (c), Francisco Javier RODRIGUEZ, Hector MORENO, Carlos SALCIDO, Gerardo TORRADO, Antonio NAELSON, Christian BERMUDEZ, Jesus Zavala, Israel CASTRO, Andres GUARDADO, Angel REYNA, Aldo de NIGRIS, Elias HERNANDEZ, Giovanni DOS SANTOS, Pablo BARRERA.
Coach: José Manuel de la TORRE

We’re with Jeremy Brockie shortly after the All Whites match against Waitakere.

May 29, 2011

DENVER, USA – The All Whites’ playing stocks are starting to build ahead of an international against Mexico on Thursday (NZT) with the first group of European- and Asian-based players joining the Australasian contingent in Colorado.

With the injury enforced withdrawals of Tony Lochhead and Tommy Smith for matches against Mexico and Australia – and Melbourne Victory’s Marco Rojas missing the first leg of the tour while he recovers from viral infection, a 23-man squad has already been whittled to 20 before departure from Auckland.

Chris Killen (China), Chris Wood (England) and Craig Henderson (Sweden) arrived late on Saturday night (local time) and took full part on Sunday morning as 14 players trained at the University of Denver.

“It’s always great to come back into camp and see the lads, and the ones who have come in from back home and Australia sound like they’ve been working hard last week,” said Wood after training,

“Personally, the chance to play for New Zealand again in what will be two very big challenges against Mexico and Australia is a great way to end a long season.”

American-based Simon Elliott, Andy Boyens, Michael Boxall were on club duty in Major League Soccer on Saturday but will join the group on Sunday as will West Ham’s Winston Reid. Jake Gleeson, also on MLS duty, arrives on Monday as does Japanese based Michael Fitzgerald.

“They’re slowly dribbling in,” said Ricki Herbert, “but those with club commitments are coming in pretty smartly after they meet them.”

“It’s nice to have a few more involved today and we’ll have the rest in over the next few days. Our players come from far and wide so it’s just part of our story that everyone’s used to.”

New Zealand play Mexico at Denver’s Invesco Field on Thursday at 2pm (NZT).

Football International
Mexico v New Zealand
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
8pm, June 1, 2011 (2pm, June 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 1

May 28, 2011

AUCKLAND – The All Whites left for Denver this afternoon without two of their brightest young talents with Tommy Smith withdrawn from the tour with a back injury and Marco Rojas ruled out of the first of two internationals due to illness.

Smith, who last night won the Nike Young Men’s Player of the Year award at the 2010 New Zealand Football awards is having treatment on a prolapsed disc in his back and will miss matches against Mexico on Thursday (NZT) and Australia in Adelaide on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Marco Rojas who has been laid low with a viral infection and did not train while the Australian-based All Whites were in camp, has been released to recuperate with his family in Hamilton before joining the team in Australia.

Replacements for the pair will not be called up, leaving the squad at 20 players after Tony Lochhead’s injury-enforced withdrawal from the original squad of 23 last week.

May 27, 2011

AUCKLAND – Ryan Nelsen picked up the Nike Men’s Player of the Year accolade for the sixth time in his career at the New Zealand Football’s annual awards dinner on Friday night.

The All Whites’ World Cup skipper, who won the award in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2009, scooped the award for his influence and performance at the FIFA World Cup and in the English Premiership League for Blackburn Rovers.
Nelsen was doubly rewarded at the red carpet event honouring football’s high achievers in the 2010 calendar year, winning the OFC Player of the Year title for just the second time.

His two-gong haul was matched Ali Riley who won both her third straight Nike Women’s Player of the Year for the time and second consecutive OFC Women’s Player of the Year title.

Tommy Smith prevailed in a very tight field for Nike Young Player of the Year with his World Cup credentials – he played every minute of the campaign – and 30 games for English Championship side Ipswich Town edging two time winner Chris Wood and the goal scoring exploits of Kosta Barbarouses for Brisbane.

Olivia Chance’s match-winning performance in the Women’s Knockout Cup final for Claudelands and standout showings in the FIFA U-17 Women’s’ World Cup earned her the Nike Young Women’s Player of the Year ahead of Anna Green and Rosie White, two players already capped at senior level.

The All Whites’ unbeaten run at the FIFA World Cup saw them pick up the Team of the Year award while Ricki Herbert was named coach of the year for masterminding that campaign and the Wellington Phoenix’s charge into the 2010 A-League playoffs earlier in the year.

The World Cup performances of Michael Hester and Jan-Hendrik Hintz saw them take home the respective honours of Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year, while Jacqui Stephenson was recognised with a NZF Merit Award for her selection as a match official for the upcoming FFIA Women’s World Cup.

Waitakere United’s Allan Pearce collected the ASB premiership’s golden boot trophy, and the 13 goal haul that saw him become the first New Zealander to win that trophy also saw him named the competition’s Player of the Year.

Former Football Fern Renee Leota also collected both the Player of the Year and Golden Boot trophies with a 13 goal haul in the ASB Women’s Youth League.
Versatile and experienced New Zealand futsal international Miro Major picked up the inaugural Futsal Player of the Year award.

The time period covered by the awards is the 2010 calendar year with the exception of the 2010/11 ASB Premiership and ASB Women’s League awards, and the awards for match officials which include the 2010 international year and the 2009-10 national league season.

2010 NZF Awards Winners
Team of the Year
All Whites (2010 FIFA World Cup)

Coach of the Year
Ricki Herbert (All Whites & Wellington Phoenix)

Nike Men’s Player of the Year
Ryan Nelsen (All Whites & Blackburn Rovers)

Nike Women’s Player of the Year
Ali Riley (Football Ferns & FC Gold Pride)

Nike Young Men’s Player of the Year (U-20)
Tommy Smith (All Whites & Ipswich Town)

Nike Young Women’s Player of the Year (U-20)
Olivia Chance (New Zealand U-17 & Claudelands Rovers)

Referee of the Year
Michael Hester

Assistant Referee of the Year
Jan-Hendrik Hintz

ASB Premiership Player of the Year 2010/11
Allan Pearce (Waitakere United)

ASB Women’s Youth League Player of the Year 2010/11
Renee Leota (Capital Football)

ASB Premiership Golden Boot 2010/11
Allan Pearce (Waitakere United) – 13 goals

ASB Women’s Youth League Golden Boot 2010/11
Renee Leota (Capital Football) – 13 goals

Futsal Player of the Year
Miroslav Major (Futsal Whites & East City Futsal)

NZF Merit Award
Jacqui Stephenson for selection as a match official to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011

OFC Award Winners
OFC Men’s Player of the Year
Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand)

OFC Women’s Player of the Year
Ali Riley (New Zealand)

New Zealand Soccer Media Association Awards
Programme of the Year
Cambridge FC

Publication of the Year
Ryan Nelsen’s Road to the World Cup with Tony Smith (Hodder Moa)

Writer of the Year
Michael Brown (Herald on Sunday)

Photographer of the Year
Andrew Cornaga (Photosport)

Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Jason Pine (The Radio Network)

TV Journalist of the Year
Andrew Gourdie (TV3)

Jim McMullan Service to Football Award
Iain Gillies

We talk to Glen Moss aka Mossy about how the squad is looking leading up to the All Whites matches against Mexico on the 2nd of June (NZT) and Australia on the 5th

We find out how midfielder Aaron Clapham went from playing for the small Christchurch club Burwood to playing for the All Whites

We interview Mark Paston on his recovery leading up to the All Whites matches against Australia and Mexico. Paston injured his knee during an A-league soccer match playing for the Wellington Phoenix late last year

Ricki Herbert talks to us about the All Whites performance against Waitakere and how the players are looking for the upcoming matches against Australia and Mexico

Tim Brown gives us his thoughts on the All Whites upcoming matches against Australia and Mexico

All Whites defender Ivan Vicelich has a chat to us about their upcoming matches against Australia and Mexico

May 25, 2011

AUCKLAND – The Australasian based members of the All Whites got the hit-out they wanted ahead of their upcoming internationals against Mexico and Australia with a 4-1 win over a Waitakere United Invitational side at Trusts Stadium on Wednesday night.

All members apart from a not yet fully fit Mark Paston and a virus stricken Marco Rojas took part in the match with numbers boosted by a quartet of U-20 players, three of them on the bench.

The match was designed to give out-of-season A-League and ASB Premiership players some valuable match fitness and All Whites coach was satisfied to bank those minutes and blow out the cobwebs.

“We wanted to have guys on the pitch for the full 90 minutes so we managed to do that. I was a pleasantly surprised at what the players showed. We were operating about 60 per cent but some were a higher than that,” Herbert said.

“Kosta Barbarouses was lively tonight, but he’s had a month of training. Jeremy Brockie was lively too but he’s only had a week of training.

“The players did what the needed to do tonight. It wasn’t about the result it was just about getting mileage into the legs.”

Ben Sigmund’s powerful header from a Michael McGlinchey corner just before halftime was the only goal of the first spell but Jeremy Brockie’s stunning 30 yard volley eight minutes into the second half signalled a loosening of the game.

Barbarouses got reward for his industry with his 57th minute goal, a low shot squeezed inside the far post of Waitakere keeper Danny Robinson and Tim Brown headed in a fourth from a McGlinchey cross fives minute later to round out the All Whites scoring.

New Zealand U-20 defender Antony Hobbs chipped in a consolation goal for Waitakere as the All Whites XI failed to fully clear a corner.

The All Whites train twice more this week before flying out to Denver on Saturday afternoon.

Training match
Trusts Stadium, Auckland

Australian based All Whites XI 4 (Ben SIGMUND 45’, Jeremy BROCKIE  53’, Kosta BARBAROUSES 57’, Tim BROWN 62’)
Waitakere United Invitational XI 1 (Anthony HOBBS 86’)

All Whites XI: Glen MOSS (gk), Cameron LINDSAY (Nick BRANCH 71’), Ivan VICELICH (Nikko BOXALL 87’), Ben SIGMUND, Jeremy BROCKIE (Sean LOVEMORE 79’), Tim BROWN, David MULLIGAN, Michael McGLINCHEY, Shane SMELTZ, Kosta BARBAROUSES, Aaron CLAPHAM.
Coach Ricki HERBERT

Waitakere United Invitational: Danny ROBINSON (gk / Scott ARMISTEAD 86’), Aaron SCOTT (Ross McKENZIE 58’), Ryan ELDER, Martin BULLOCK (Zane SOLE 58’), Allan PEARCE, Roy KRISHNA (Ross Haviland 58’), Tim PAYNE (Chad COOMBES 46’), Jake BUTLER, Dakota LUCAS, Antony HOBBS.
Coach: Darren BAZELEY

Ricki Herbert about his new squad and the upcoming internationals against Mexico and Australia

May 25, 2010

AUCKLAND – New Zealand Football is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2010 NZF Awards to be held in Auckland this Friday.

The winners will be announced at an invitation-only evening function at the Maritime Museum, Auckland on Friday 27 May and will also incorporate the New Zealand Soccer Media Awards and the Oceania Football Confederation Player of the Year (men and women) awards for 2010.

The event will be attended by Australasian-based All Whites, who are currently in a domestic camp ahead of internationals against Mexico and Australia, and the Football Ferns who are gearing up for next month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The time period covered by the 2010 NZF Awards is from January to December 2010 with the exception of ASB Premiership and ASB Women’s League awards which relate to the 2010-11 season.

As expected, performances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup are heavily represented not just in the Coach, Team and Men’s Player of the Year categories but also in nominations for Young Men’s Player, Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year.

A notable exception among the Nike Young Men’s Player of the Year finalists is Kosta Barbarouses, who missed out on World Cup selection but struck 11 goals for Brisbane Roar in the A-league before the New Year, and now goes head to head with World Cup All Whites Chris Wood and Tommy Smith in an exceptionally strong field for the U-20 category.

Ryan Nelsen, Winston Reid and Mark Paston are the finalists for the Nike Men’s Player of the Year award while Amber Hearn’s 13 goals in 16 internationals in 2010 earn her a nomination for Nike Women’s Player of the Year alongside German-based professional Rebecca Smith and WPS Rookie of the Year Ali Riley.

2010 NZF Awards Finalists

Nike Men’s Player of the Year
Ryan Nelsen (All Whites & Blackburn Rovers)
Mark Paston (All Whites & Wellington Phoenix)
Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland/West Ham & All Whites)

Nike Young Men’s Player of the Year (U-20)
Kosta Barbarouses (Wellington Phoenix/Brisbane Roar & All Whites)
Tommy Smith (Ipswich/Brentford & All Whites)
Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion/Barnsley/Brighton & All Whites)

Nike Women’s Player of the Year
Amber Hearn (Football Ferns)
Ali Riley (FC Gold Pride & Football Ferns)
Rebecca Smith (VfL Wolfsburg & Football Ferns)

Nike Young Women’s Player of the Year (U-20)
Olivia Chance (Claudelands Rovers & NZ U-17)
Anna Green (Football Ferns & NZ U-20)
Rosie White (Football Ferns & NZ U-20)

Coach of the Year
Neil Emblen (Waitakere United)
Ricki Herbert (All Whites & Wellington Phoenix)
John Herdman (Football Ferns)

Team of the Year
All Whites
Football Ferns
Waitakere United

ASB Premiership Player of the Year 2010-2011
Andrew Bevin (Hawke’s Bay United)
Angel Berlanga (Auckland City)
Allan Pearce (Waitakere United)

ASB Women’s Youth League Player of the Year
Renee Leota (Capital Football)
Sarah McLaughlin (Waikato-BOP Football)
Emma Roulston (Capital Football)

Futsal Player of the Year
Miroslav Major (East City Futsal & Futsal Whites)
Dylan Manickum (East City Futsal & Futsal Whites)
Lucas da Silva (Capital Futsal & Futsal Whites)

Referee of the Year
Michael Hester
Peter O’Leary
Kevin Stoltenkamp

Assistant Referee of the Year
Brent Best
Jan-Hendrik Hintz
Mark Rule

NZSMA Award Categories
Jim McMullan Service to Football Award
Writer of the Year
Photographer of the Year
Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Television Journalist of the Year
Publication of the Year
Programme of the Year

Oceania Football Confederation Award Categories
OFC Men’s Player of the Year
OFC Women’s Player of the Year

May 21, 2011

AUCKLAND – Tony Lochhead will miss next month’s internationals against Mexico and Australia in order to rest and rehab a recurring groin injury.

Lochhead, 29, had operations on either side of last year’s FIFA World Cup to treat the osteitis pubis but the condition has flared up again prompting his withdrawal from the internationals in Denver on June 1 and Adelaide on June 5.

The 34 cap fullback missed October’s internationals against Honduras and Paraguay but did play against China in March.

At this stage All Whites management are not planning to call up a replacement for the two matches.

Meanwhile four New Zealand U-20 players will join 12 Australasian-based All Whites at a training camp in Auckland next week to boost numbers.

The players, Cameron Lindsay, Dakota Lucas, Nick Branch and Anthony Hobbs, are not part of Ricki Herbert’s wider All Whites squad.

All Whites domestic camp
May 24-28
Auckland
NZ Selection v Waitakere United Invitational XI
May 25, 7.30pm
Trusts Stadium, Henderson
Admission: $10 Adults, Kids aged 15 or under free.

International Friendlies
Mexico v New Zealand
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
8pm, June 1, 2011 (2pm, June 2 NZT)

Australia v New Zealand
Adelaide Oval
Adelaide, Australia
5pm, June 5, 2011 (7.30pm NZT)

May 18, 2011

AUCKLAND – New Zealand will play the Czech Republic, USA and Uzbekistan in Group D of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico next month following this morning’s draw in Mexico City.

New Zealand open their campaign on June 19 against Asian runners-up Uzbekistan in Torreon, play Czech Republic at the same venue three days later before wrapping up pool play against group seed USA in Pachuca on June 25.

The 2009 Young All Whites became the first New Zealand team to reach the second round of a FIFA event and head coach Aaron McFarland, an assistant for that campaign, says the ambitious current squad have set their sights on going one better.

“The names might not be ones that the players will fear but outside one or two really tough groups, ours is no easier or harder than any of the others.

“Even before I took over, this group had set themselves a goal of reaching the quarterfinals and this draw won’t have changed anything.”

“We’ve got a team who was unbeaten in European qualifying, the second best team in Asia and the North American champions and we’ll be looking to get at least four points to make the next round.”

“There’ll also be some stepping stone goals on the way; getting out of our group like the 2009 team and getting a victory like the team of 1999.”

The top two teams from each of the six pools qualify for the round of 16 along with the four best third place getters, and McFarland says the opening game against Uzbekistan is key to New Zealand’s hopes.

“Typically teams approach the first game cautiously and a lot of things at this level are unknown when you head into the tournament but that can play into our favour.

“We’ll both be unknown quantities but if we do our homework we may well know more about them than they do about us.”

FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011
June 18 – July 10

Groups
Group A: Mexico, Korea DPR, Congo, Netherlands
Group B: Japan, Jamaica, France, Argentina
Group C: Uruguay, Canada, Rwanda, England
Group D: USA, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, New Zealand
Group E: Burkina Faso, Panama, Germany, Ecuador
Group F: Australia, Côte d’Ivoire, Brazil, Denmark

New Zealand Matches

New Zealand v Uzbekistan
Estadio Torreon
Torreon, Mexico
June 19, 3pm (June 20, 8am NZT)

New Zealand v Czech Republic
Estadio Torreon
Torreon, Mexico
June 22, 6pm (June 23, 11am NZT)

New Zealand v USA
Estadio Hidalgo
Pachuca, Mexico
June 25, 6pm (June 26, 11am NZT)

May 17, 2011

AUCKLAND – Jake Gleeson and Craig Henderson will get another chance to start their All Whites careers after being selected in a 23-man squad for internationals against Mexico and Australia in June.

The uncapped pair have both previously made false starts to their international career having been picked in travelling squads but subsequently withdrawing for contrasting reasons.

Gleeson, 20, was picked as back up to Glen Moss for this year’s first friendly against China but was released to play for Portland Timbers in the MLS. He made his Major League debut while the national team was away and has added another three appearances since.

Henderson, 23, was picked for last year’s friendly against Mexico but a ruptured cruciate ligament ruled him out of the trip and killed any hopes of forcing his way into New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup squad.

The All Whites play Mexico at altitude in Denver on June 1 (June 2 NZT) and Australia in Adelaide on June 5 and while the pair are not guaranteed game time in an enlarged squad, Herbert is keen to get them involved as he builds a squad that can qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“They are two young players who should, and hopefully will, have a bright future with the national team.  For a couple of different reasons they haven’t had the chance to do that before now so it will great to have them aboard,” Herbert said.

Herbert says the increased squad size will help cover for the effects of a tight travel schedule and provide opportunities on and off the field for the new batch of internationals coming through.

“The games are so tight and with the travel factor in there as well we’ve agreed to take 23 players to cover.”

“Just as importantly it gives a chance to get some of the newer players involved a bit more on the training side. We’ll get three or four sessions on the ground In Denver, maybe none in Australia but players like Michael Fitzgerald, Michael Boxall, Kosta Barbarouses and Marco Rojas get to add this to what they’ve done already.”

Ryan Nelsen, Rory Fallon, Leo Bertos and Jeremy Christie are all unavailable because of injury but Tim Brown, Ben Sigmund, Winston Reid, Mark Paston and Simon Elliott are all fit again after missing the match against China.

The 13 Australasian-based players will assemble in Auckland on May 24 for a five day training camp that features a hit out against a Waitakere United Invitational XI on May 25.

All Whites squad for June Internationals (Club – caps/ goals)
Includes ‘A’ Internationals only

Goalkeepers
Jake GLEESON (Portland Timbers, USA – 0/0)
Glen MOSS (Gold Coast United, AUS – 17/0)
Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix – 28/0)

Defenders
Andrew BOYENS (Chivas USA, USA – 17/0)
Michael BOXALL (Vancouver Whitecaps, CAN – 1/0)
Michael FITZGERALD (Albirex Niigata, JPN – 1/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix – 34/0)
Winston REID (West Ham, ENG – 8/1)
Ben SIGMUND (Wellington Phoenix – 16/1)
Tommy SMITH (Ipswich Town, ENG – 8/0)
Ivan VICELICH (Auckland City – 72/7)

Midfielders
Jeremy BROCKIE (Newcastle Jets, AUS – 22/0)
Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix – 27/0)
Aaron CLAPHAM (Canterbury United – 3/0)
Simon ELLIOTT (Chivas USA, USA – 68/8)
David MULLIGAN (Auckland City – 26/3)
Michael McGLINCHEY (Central Coast Mariners, AUS – 8/1)
Marco ROJAS (Melbourne Victory, AUS – 1/0)

Forwards
Kosta BARBAROUSES (Brisbane Roar, AUS – 2/0)
Craig HENDERSON (Mjallby, SWE – 0/0)
Chris KILLEN (Shenzhen Ruby, CHN – 37/18)
Shane SMELTZ (Perth Glory, AUS – 35/18)
Chris WOOD (West Bromwich Albion, ENG – 15/1)

Non travelling reserves
Kris Bright (Budapest Honvéd, HUN)
Cole Peverley (Charleston Battery, USA)
Luke Rowe (Birmingham City, ENG)

Not considered because of injury
Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix)
Jeremy Christie (Tampa Bay, USA)
Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle, ENG)
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers, ENG)

Management
Head Coach: Ricki Herbert
Project Manager: Brian Turner
Goalkeeper Coach: Clint Gosling
Technical Support: Neil Emblen
Technical Adviser: Raul Blanco
Physiotherapist: Roland Jeffery
Massage Therapist: Tawhai Whitewood
Massage Therapist: Wade Irvine
Sport Scientist: Kenny McMillan
Doctor:  Mark Fulcher
Media Officer: Jamie Scott

All Whites domestic camp
May 24-28
Auckland
NZ Selection v Waitakere United Invitational XI
May 25, 7.30pm
Trusts Stadium, Henderson
Admission: $10 Adults, Kids aged 15 or under free.

International Friendlies
Mexico v New Zealand
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
8pm, June 1, 2011 (2pm, June 2 NZT)

Australia v New Zealand
Adelaide Oval
Adelaide, Australia
5pm, June 5, 2011 (7.30pm NZT)

May 14, 2011

AUCKLAND – Around a dozen Australasian based All Whites will be involved in a five-day Auckland training camp at the end of the month to prepare for upcoming internationals against Mexico and Australia.

The camp from May 24 to 28 will see All Whites players from the ASB Premiership and Australian A-League train on North Harbour Stadium’s outer oval and play a training hit-out against a Waitakere United invitational XI at Trusts Stadium on May 25.

The squad for the internationals will be named on Tuesday and is expected to include the bulk of the 14 New Zealand- and Australian-based players in the wider squad named by coach Ricki Herbert back in March.

The All Whites play Mexico at altitude in Denver on June 1 (June 2 NZT) and Australia in Adelaide on June 5. The training camp will be used partly to increase the match readiness of out-of-season Southern Hemisphere players.

“All the players in the Australasian market are only just into their pre-season, if at all,” said Herbert.

“The camp will help a little bit, and it’s always important to get have time together when we can. It’s been great of New Zealand Football to support the idea.”

“All the players are very keen to be part of that and that just shows the willingness of that group to make another big difference over the next three years.”

Hosted and organised by Waitakere United, the training match in Henderson will be opened to the public, kicking off at 7.30pm. Admission will be free to children aged 15 and cost $10 for adults.

All Whites domestic camp
May 24-28
Auckland

Training match v Waitakere United Invitational XI
May 25, 7.30pm
Trusts Stadium, Henderson
Admission: $10 Adults, Kids aged 15 or under free.

International Friendlies
Mexico v New Zealand
INVESCO Field at Mile High
Denver, USA
8pm, June 1, 2011 (2pm, June 2 NZT)

Australia v New Zealand
Adelaide Oval
Adelaide, Australia
5pm, June 5, 2011 (7pm NZT)

In this exclusive preview from Undefeated – All Whites Players, Ryan Nelsen, Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon and All Whites Coaches Ricki Herbert and Brian Turner talk about the teams self belief heading into the World Cup

In this exclusive behind the scenes clip from “Undefeated” All Whites striker Rory Fallon talks through his crisis of confidence only moments before the Bahrain match.

Check out this exclusive preview from UNDEFEATED – The All Whites World Cup Story. In this clip a few of the players decide to make some pretty hilarious caricatures of their fellow team mates.

Check out this exclusive scene from Undefeated – The All Whites World Cup story. In this clip Ricki Herbert plays a gag on All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner while the team are in Austria preparing for the World Cup – WARNING, contains content intended for a mature audience.

Check out this exclusive sneak peak from the All Whites behind the scenes documentary UNDEFEATED.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert talks about the All Whites performance through the recent games against Honduras and Praguay.

Check out this coverage of the All Whites vs Paraguay press conference.

The All Whites gave their legion of fans plenty of reason to cheer at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday night, check out this clip featuring exclusive behind the scenes content from inside the All Whites camp.

We catch a quick word with Shane Smeltz after the Honduras match

We catch up with Mark Paston just before he’s about to jump on the bus after the Honduras match

Brockie talks about his hit out vs Honduras.

Nearly one year on from that famous goal that sent the All Whites to the World Cup, Rory Fallon is back in town with the All Whites to take on Paraguay.

Aaron talks about getting his first start for the All Whites.

All Whites mid-fielder and go to man Simon Elliot has a message to the All Whites Facebook Fans.

A special message from All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen for the All Whites Facebook Fans.

On the eve of the All Whites game against Honduras we joined them for a training session and had a chat with Michael Glading about his thoughts for the upcoming friendly.

There’s a whiteboard in the lobby area of the teams hotel where the boys have a bit of good natured fun.

Winston Reid, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown and Andrew Boyens took the opportunity to attend the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards while the team were together again.

We go along for the ride with Rory Fallon and Jeremy Christie as they prepare for the filming of Hyundai Code, at the Maori TV studios.

We listen to Mark Paston having a chat with the media about his thoughts on the upcoming Honduras and Paraguay games, and catching up with his All White mates.

We caught up with Benji Marshall at Maori TV and heard his words of support for the boys.

Tana Umaga gives a message of support to the boys when we catch up with him at Maori TV.

We catch up with Rob, a teacher at Kristin School. To have a chat about how cool it is to have the All Whites training at their school, and what their success has done for the game.

We catch up with Rueben Wiki (The Kava King) at the filming of Hyundai Code to get his words of inspiration for the All Whites.

We catch up with Shane Smeltz after training with the All Whites today to find out more about his experiences with moving to Turkey.

Winston Reid has a chat with local media after todays training session about life in the UK and what it’s like being back in New Zealand, training with his All White mates.

We catch up with Ricki at an All Whites training session and find out what it’s like to at home surrounded by fans during the build up to the All Whites games against Honduras and Paraguay.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and and Captain Ryan Nelsen host media conference for upcoming ASB international series.

We listen in as All Whites Coach Ricki Herbert chats with the guys from Radio Sport about the upcoming matches against Honduras and Paraguay

McConie talks to Michael Glading about the upcoming internationals after the official press conference.

The All Whites will be back in action again this October with the Friendly matches scheduled against Paraguay and Honduras, check this behind the scenes video of Michael Glading making the announcement.

AUCKLAND – World Cup All Whites Andy Barron and James Bannatyne have confirmed plans to step aside from all football.

Barron, a senior operations administrator for Westpac, and Bannatyne, a sales manager for Puma, both played for Team Wellington in the New Zealand Football Championship in recent years and were two of four amateur players in the All Whites squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

While Bannatyne didn’t take the field in South Africa – he and Glen Moss were left applauding the superlative form of goalkeeper Mark Paston – Barron come off the bench in the 1-1 draw against World Champions Italy, something he saw as a fitting note to end on.

“It was always my intention to retire after the World Cup, so I went in knowing that. I thought, `Why not go out on a high?’ I’m 30 this year so it’s as good a time as any,” Barron told the Dominion Post.

“It’s everyone’s dream, and to say I played in it now is just a huge thing that will always be there, that I can tell the grandkids about. It was just a massive time; awesome to be a part of it.”

 Barron, who turns 30 in December, made his All Whites debut against Malaysia in 2006, scoring the winning goal against the same opposition in a 2-1 victory just days later.

He went on to play 16 times for New Zealand, including 12 ‘A’ internationals.
Bannatyne, 35, played six matches (3 ‘A’ internationals) in goal for the All Whites, debuting against the Cook Islands in 2001. His last match for New Zealand was a training match against Chile in Nelspruit. Bannatyne plans to hang up his boots after playing his 100th game for Petone this weekend.

As part of a big weekend for football in the capital, Wellington City are honouring the All Whites in a parade that begins at Parliament at 12.30pm before winding its way to Civic square. Wellington Phoenix and Boca Juniors who meet on Friday night to headline the week, will also be part of the parade.

Another shipment of All Whites replica gear from Nike is on the way.

 

There have been a number of enquiries from people wishing to purchase official New Zealand replica strips by Nike.  There is a limited amount of stock available in retail stores at the moment and the good news is another shipment is due in New Zealand in approximately six weeks.  Please register your interest with your local retailer or NZF’s online store to ensure you don’t miss out!

AUCKLAND – New Zealand have climbed 24 places to 54th in the latest edition of the FIFA World Rankings.

Spain have predictably climbed to the top of the pile after the World Cup winning run but the All Whites, who finshed 22nd at the 32 nation finals, are the biggest movers following a pre-tournament friendly win over Serbia and draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay at the World Cup itself.

New Zealand’s highest rank was 47th in August 2002 following a 1-0 win over Australia to win the Oceania Nations Cup and qualify for the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Beaten finalists Netherlands, rose two spots to second place, overtaking Brazil who fell from first to third.

Germany and Argentina, who improved two places each, round out the top five while Uruguay climb 10 places to 6th after their charge to the World Cup semi finals.

Italy (11th) drop out of the top 10 while France, another big name to fall at the group stage, plummet 12 places to 21st, their lowest ranking in 12 years.

Wellington City Council/WELLINGTON – The All Whites and Ricki Herbert will be welcomed home and their World Cup success celebrated at a parade through central Wellington on Wednesday 21 July.
 
It will be a chance for Wellingtonians to applaud our World Cup heroes and cheer on players from the Wellington Phoenix and Argentinean club Boca Juniors, who will join the All Whites in the parade ahead of the Phoenix-Boca friendly game at Westpac Stadium on Friday 23 July.
 
Prime Minister John Key will wave the team off from Parliament’s forecourt at 12.30pm. They will make their way down Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Mercer Street before being met by Mayor Kerry Prendergast and John Key in Civic Square.
 
Fans will be able to get autographs of their favourite players after the parade. Non-Wellington All Whites Ivan Vicelich and Aaron Clapham have confirmed their attendance and US-based Simon Elliott is flying in from the United States.
 
Mayor Prendergast says the parade is a celebration of the All Whites success and a chance for Wellingtonians to come and cheer their football heroes. “We’re all proud of what the All Whites achieved – not just Wellingtonians but of course everyone in New Zealand. This is our chance to tell them how proud we are.
 
“Their World Cup finals story began in earnest in Wellington when they beat Bahrain at the Stadium last November. So it’s fitting that their journey finishes here with a welcome-home parade and celebration of their journey. It really has been a great year for New Zealand football.
 
“It’s also a chance for people to get out and show some serious support for two big upcoming campaigns – the Phoenix to go even better this year to win the A-League and the All Whites to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.”
 
New Zealand Football Chief Executive Michael Glading is pleased that fans will get the chance to personally thank the All Whites personally for the exhilarating ride they delivered over the last eight months.
 
“This team will go down in history as one of New Zealand’s greatest sporting stories. To head away to a World Cup as the underdogs and come home undefeated is an incredible achievement; they have made a mark – not only in New Zealand but throughout the world, and we should all be very proud of their performance.” 
 
Wellington Phoenix play Boca Juniors at Westpac Stadium on Friday 23 July. Kick-off is at 7.30pm. Fans can meet the Boca squad at an open training session at the Stadium at 4pm on Thursday 22 July.

AUCKLAND – New Zealand Football have confirmed they are still in discussions with Ricki Herbert and Wellington Phoenix for Herbert to continue as the All Whites head coach.

NZF chairman Frank van Hattum said he and Herbert have agreed in principle for Herbert to continue in his New Zealand role, which for the last three years he has balanced with his Wellington Phoenix duties, but now need to work through any new arrangement with the A-League club.

“We’ve shaken hands on it but that gentlemen’s agreement is only part of the picture,” van Hattum said.

“It’s the same scenario no matter where Ricki committed himself at club level. The next thing following that decision is to secure access with that club, and New Zealand Football are continuing that dialogue with Wellington Phoenix.”

Herbert took over as national team coach in 2005, qualifying for both the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  The All Whites drew with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay in South Africa last month finishing the tournament as the only unbeaten nation.

AUCKLAND – The All Whites could be playing in front of a home crowd as early as October as New Zealand Football begins the process of luring international opposition to New Zealand within FIFA windows.

New Zealand were the surprise package in the early stages of the FIFA World Cup, ending pool play unbeaten and finishing above world champions Italy.
 NZF Chief Executive Michael Glading says bringing a top international team is the ideal way to give football fans another fix.

“The team did themselves and the country proud on the biggest stage, and we think the time is right to stage host a match against high calibre opposition.”

“The support from the public has been overwhelming, but they are saying they now want to see these guys play at home more often, and the players want the chance to say thank you to the fans.”

“There are still plenty of hoops to jump through, getting top quality sides to visit this part of the world has never been easy, or cheap for that matter, but the All Whites’ stock has risen dramatically and we will continue to engage clubs to make sure our players are released.”

There are four international match windows – periods when cubs are obligated to release players for international duty – remaining in 2010 but the first of those, on August 11, is a one day ‘friendly’ window with a 48 hour release period either side of the match date.

That would rule out the prospect of the All Whites’ overseas-based stars travelling to and from New Zealand in time, and with the next four-day ‘official match window’ in September clashing with Wellington Phoenix fixtures in the A-League, NZF have targeted the October 9-13 window.

“We want to do it right, and the mid October window is the chance to do that.
“Everybody wants the strongest line-up possible and we don’t want to take players away from the Phoenix given their importance on the New Zealand scene so October is when we are working towards.”

Glading wouldn’t be drawn on which teams NZF had begun negotiations with, saying the discussions were still commercially sensitive,  and also indicated that the venue for the match would be decided after a bidding process, just as for the home leg of last year’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.

Upcoming International Windows

2010
August 11 – Friendly Window
September 3-7 – Official Match Window
October 8-12 – Official Match Window
November 17 – Friendly Window

2011
Marc h 25-29 – Official Match Window
June 1 – Friendly Window
June 3-7 – Official Match Window
August 10 – Friendly Window
September 2-6– Official Match Window
October 7-11 – Official Match Window
November 11-15 – Official Match Window (OFC playoff for FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013)

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand referee Mike Hester’s FIFA World Cup adventure will continue into the knockout stages after being appointed as fourth official to Saturday’s Round of 16 clash between USA and Ghana.

Hester made history by becoming the first New Zealander to referee a FIFA World Cup match – the June 12 match between Korea Republic and Greece – aided by assistant referees (linesmen) Jan Hendrik Hintz, also from New Zealand and Tevita Maksini from Tonga.

Hester, an Auckland based Naval officer, was also used as a fourth official for England’s clash with Algeria, while Hamilton school teacher Peter O’Leary was fourth official for five matches: Algeria v Slovenia, France v Mexico, Greece v Argentina, Cameroon v Denmark and Brazil v Portugal.

Kiwi Brent Best and Solomon Islander Mathew Taro, who complete O’Leary’s referee trio have alternated as reserve assistant referee in those same matches, while Hintz and Makasini have performed the same role in matches where Hester has been fourth official.

Hester’s and O’Leary’s teams are among thirty trios selected for the FIFA World Cup finals.

All White Andrew Boyens shares his thoughts after the All Whites’ heroic last game against Paraguay.

All White Jeremy Brockie shares his thoughts after the All Whites’ heroic last game against Paraguay.

All Whites striker Rory Fallon shares his thoughts after the All Whites’ heroic last game against Paraguay… and Mossy gets involved as well.

Fresh from the field All Whites Captain Ryan Nelsen shares his thoughts after the All Whites’ heroic last game against Paraguay.

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA –All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen paid a heartfelt tribute to the way the New Zealand public had got behind the team and said he felt “gutted” to not be able to pay them back with a place in FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

Nelsen was struck down by a stomach bug in the days leading up to the group F decider and said he physically felt “awful” and functioning at about 40 percent.

But he once again led a resolute All Whites flanked by Winston Reid and Tommy Smith and with valuable contributions from midfield through to the front three.
Nelsen said he wished the All Whites could have done better for the country that had given them “incredible” support.

“I still just feel really gutted, kind of let down, I feel disappointed. I know the whole country’s got behind us and I just feel like I want to say sorry to them in a way. We were so close, we just didn’t get there. Just gutted…. I just wish we could have done a bit better.”

The All Whites had come so far, had got so close and had wanted to get through to the next round, he said.

“I’m just sorry that we didn’t get there.”

Defender Tommy Smith also said all the players were “a bit gutted” as they had wanted to get through to the next round and it was disappointing not to have done that given the All Whites were undefeated.

Smith said he had loved every minute of being at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”I’m just sad it’s had to come to an end early in the competition.”

Smith said it was lovely to see his parents in the stands at the stadium tonight and see how proud they were. At the end of the match, he tried to get into the stands to see them only to be stopped by security. However, a FIFA official had stepped in after he explained he wanted to see his parents and see a photo of his nephew.

His mother had been waving the photo around at every game as she wanted to get it signed, he said.

His nephew was born just before Smith left for South Africa for the FIFA World Cup so he had not yet been able to meet him.

Smith said he would take a couple of weeks break and get away on holiday.

While disappointed to be knocked out at this stage, Smith felt that all the players had improved “as a player as well as a person” and it had been a great experience competing at the FIFA World Cup. It was something they would remember for the rest of their lives.

Defender Winston Reid said all the players had tried to give it their best.
 “We said before the game that everyone had to play 110 percent and give it all they had and everyone did so we can’t complain.’’

“I don’t think anyone back in New Zealand would have thought we would be unbeaten in the group stage after three games. You know, everyone expected we were going to go out, get our arse kicked to be honest. But the guys worked hard and we stood together as a team and at moments we played some good football.”

The players and coaches remained on the pitch at the end of the match tonight to thank their supporters in the 34,850-strong crowd. Nelsen throw his football into the crowd and other players also threw their shirts at their fans.

Some of the players had thought about doing a haka at the end of the game tonight, but in the end that didn’t happen.

“We wanted to give something for the crowd but I looked over at Rory (Fallon) and a couple of the other guys’ faces and they were pretty down,” Reid said.
There was talk of a game in New Zealand before the end of the year and Reid said the players would “sort something out” for the crowd then.

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – A goalless draw against Paraguay was not enough to send an unbeaten New Zealand through to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in Polokwane on Friday morning (NZT).

Following on from 1-1 draws with Slovakia and Italy, the 0-0 stalemate left the All Whites, playing in their alternate black strip, in select company as one of only four sides – Scotland (1974), Cameroon (1982) and Belgium (1998)are the others – to exit a World Cup unbeaten.

After the match, coach Ricki Herbert was in reflective mood.

“To go home unbeaten – I would never have dreamed of that going into the tournament,” Herbert said.

“It might have only taken on chance tonight and if we were good enough we would’ve grabbed it, but nothing’s going to change how I feel and think about this team right now.”

The point was enough for Paraguay to finish top of the group while Slovakia moved up to second with a 3-2 win over Italy, who finished bottom of the group. Paraguay will play Japan, and Slovaia meet the Netherlands in the round of 16.

“If you’re going to exit the World Cup there’s probably good ways of going out and not so good ways. But you can read the list tomorrow and teams like France and Italy will be sitting behind us. I think we’re a good shot to finish in the top 24.”

The players echoed Herbert’s pride in their undefeated record but it was scant consolation for a team whose belief had not wavered  throughout the campaign.

 “I think we kept resetting our own expectations and the fans’ expectations and it’s a shame that we couldn’t quite get across the line [and qualify],” said midfielder Simon Elliott.

“While we are proud of the unbeaten record there’s mixed emotions for sure.” Simon Elliott

New Zealand reproduced the form they showed against the World Champions but found chances hard to come by against the well organised South Americans.

Substitute Chris Wood almost got on the end of a 87th minute Shane Smeltz cross but would have been offside had he netted the goal New Zealand needed to go through, while Elliott blasted a shot just wide in the 48th minute after Tony Lochhead got in behind the Paraguayan defence.

Goalkeeper Mark Paston was again in fine form, with a double save denying  Edgar Benitez and Lucas Barrios in the 76th minute then parrying Roque Santa Cruz’s dipping free kick four minutes later.

FIFA World Cup: Group F
New Zealand 0 Paraguay 0
Peter Mokaba Stadium
Polokwane

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN (22-Jeremy BROCKIE 79), 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON (20-Chris WOOD 68), 21, 19-Tommy SMITH.
Substitutes not used: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 8-Tim BROWN, 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, -Jeremy CHRISTIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Cautions: Ryan NELSEN

Paraguay: 1-Justo VILLAR (GK), 3-Claudio MOREL, 4-Denis CANIZA, 5-Julio Cesar CACERES, 7-Oscar CARDOZO (19-Lucas BARRIOS 66), 9-Roque SANTA CRUZ, 13-Enrique VERA, 14-Paulo DA SILVA, 15-Victor CACERES, 16-Cristian RIVEROS, 18-Nelson VALDEZ (10-Edgar BENITEZ 66).
Substitutes not used: 2-Dario VERON, 6-Carlos BONET, 8-Edgar BARRETO, 11-Jonathan SANTANA, 12-Diego BARRETO (RGK), 17-Aureliano TORRES, 20-Nestor ORTIGOZA, 21-Antolin ALCARAZ, 22-Aldo BOBADILLA (RGK), 23-Rodolfo GAMARRA.
Coach: Gerardo MARTINO
Cautions: Victor CACERE

The All Whites have left the hotel and have arrived at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane for the biggest game in New Zealand football history. NZ Football CEO Michael Glading talks us through the team’s departure.

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – In the lead in to the final pool match versus Paraguay in Polokwane today New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum took the opportunity to thank the public of New Zealand for their overwhelming support of the All Whites at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa so far. van Hattum said the support for the team and the upsurge of interest in the game was an important contributor to the competitive spirit in the All Whites camp. “It has been humbling and tremendously uplifting for the team to receive so much support from New Zealand while we’ve been in South Africa, to know that our country has been so absorbed by football and it right behind us has made a huge contribution to the All Whites World Cup efforts. We have all appreciated hearing and seeing messages from people including All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, all those people taking part in white-outs, those cheering around television sets in the middle of the night, andover 60,000 fans following the team on Facebook. We were also delighted Prime Minister John Key could join the team in South Africa and experience first-hand the excitement of the 1-1 draw with Italy. “This is a wonderful example of the way New Zealanders get in behind their own and how the fighting Kiwi spirit rises to the occasion.” van Hattum said the success of the All Whites in South Africa came at a time when New Zealand Football was extremely well placed to capitalise on the surge in support for the game. “Over the last three years New Zealand Football has worked very hard to recover from a position of near-insolvency and put in place a sustainable budget and a great plan for the future. That plan has been well-prepared and is being rolled out. For example, we are putting aside prize money from the World Cup in a foundation that will grow the game at grass roots and into a fund to expand our international programme at senior and age-group level, both for men and women. We will be well prepared for the next World Cups. “We have worked closely over the last three years with the federations which manage our football regions to develop a strategic plan for the whole country and are gratified by the way that partnership is working. As part of that a Whole of Football plan is being introduced which will aim to ensure that right across the country, at whatever level people are playing, coaching or refereeing, they will enjoy a quality of experience which makes the game more and more attractive.” van Hattum pointed to the football festivals being run at schools throughout New Zealand during the month of the World Cup and a programme being launched to introduce summer football to all-girl teams. He also acknowledged the support of funders including SPARC and Kiwibank, who assisted the recovery of NZ Football three years ago. “It is exciting to be working closely with SPARC now on a different phase – the further growth and development of the game.”

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand have promised to throw everything they have into their clash against Paraguay in Polokwane on Friday morning (NZT) with a place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup on offer.

New Zealand’s first two pool matches, against Slovakia and Italy have yielded two historic 1-1 results, and a third draw may see them through – providing Italy and Slovakia play out a lower scoring draw in Johannesburg.

A maiden World Cup victory would guarantee the All Whites, who will wear their black strip for the group decider, a place in the last 16 and midfielder Ivan Vicelich says the team has a firm but quiet belief in their ability to spring another surprise.

“It’s been a great experience for the whole team,” said Vicelich.

“We’ve grown a lot over the last four years. We have a quiet confidence about ourselves where we know against quality opposition we can perform well.

We’ve shown that in our last two matches, and we hope to do the same in the next one.”

New Zealand garnered the tag of the tournament’s surprise package when earning their first ever World Cup point against Slovakia and then outdoing that effort with a draw against reigning World Champions Italy.

Coach Ricki Herbert praised his squad’s spirit and belief in each other after each result and promised another honest effort against the group leaders.

“The heart will be on the sleeve and the performance will be as much as we can give. If it’s good enough to take us further, fantastic. If it’s not then we’re proud of the position we’ve put football back into.”

“We’re really ambitious, the players are very relaxed but confident that they can go out and do something.”

Herbert has named the same line-up for the third straight match but had given that group two full days off training with the space between games shorter this time around.

“It was tough game, obviously, against the world champions,” said
Vicelich, who will again partner Simon Elliott in the centre of midfield, said the game against the World Champions had taken a lot out of the All Whites.

“It was good to celebrate a little bit, I mean for football in New Zealand it’s a massive result but in the back of our minds we knew we had another game in three days and we weren’t going to go overboard.

“The guys have turned around and had a couple of good days. We’ve kept things ticking over with the official session and we’re fighting fit for tomorrow.
The team finished preparations with an official training at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen was given the night off with a minor stomach complaint, but is expected to be fully fit to lead the team.

FIFA World Cup: Group F
New Zealand v Paraguay
Peter Mokaba Stadium
Polokwane
June 24, 2010
4pm local (2am June 25 NZT)
Referee: Yuichi NISHIMURA (Japan)

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH.
Substitutes: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 8-Tim BROWN, 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Jeremy CHRISTIE, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Paraguay (from): 1-Justo VILLAR (GK), 2-Dario VERON, 3-Claudio MOREL, 4-Denis CANIZA, 5-Julio Cesar CACERES, 6-Carlos BONET, 7-Oscar CARDOZO, 8-Edgar BARRETO, 9-Roque SANTA CRUZ, 10-Edgar BENITEZ, 11-Jonathan SANTANA, 12-Diego BARRETO (GK), 13-Enrique VERA, 14-Paulo DA SILVA, 15-Victor CACERES, 16-Cristian RIVEROS, 17-Aureliano TORRES, 18-Nelson VALDEZ, 19-Lucas BARRIOS, 20-Nestor ORTIGOZA, 21-Antolin ALCARAZ, 22-Aldo BOBADILLA (GK), 23-Rodolfo GAMARRA.
Coach: Gerardo MARTINO

Join the All Whites in their last hit out before the match against Paraguay.

Join the All Whites as they depart the Serengeti Resort for Polokwane and their match against Paraguay.

Ricky Herbert and Ivan Vicilich take questions from the world media ahead of the All Whites’ match against Paraguay.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – There was a special moment in the All Whites’ camp yesterday when All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and striker Rory Fallon were presented with a piece of New Zealand pounamu (greenstone).

Phil Parker, from Maori Football NZ, made the presentation at the All Whites’ base at the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Resort, just out of Johannesburg city.
Maori Football NZ promotes participation in football by all children including Maori.

Mr Parker said he wanted to do something special for the All Whites’ coach and squad and had been carrying the piece of pounamu with him for the past two weeks until he found the opportunity to present it to the squad.

Most of the players had been resting up yesterday ahead of their next clash at the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they come up against Paraguay at Peter Mokaba Stadium at Polokwane on Thursday afternoon (early Friday morning NZT).

Mr Parker said the All Whites were incredible role models for all children who wanted to play football, and he wanted to show that the whole of New Zealand was behind the squad.

He said football provided a pathway for children to stay “out of trouble”.
Four members of the 23-member All Whites squad are Maori – Fallon, defender Winston Reid, midfielder Leo Bertos and midfielder Jeremy Christie.

Fallon said the players hoped to demonstrate to all New Zealand children the positive role sport could play in their lives.

Often young people turned to gangs because they did not have family support. Sport provided discipline and team culture. A sports team became family, he said.

The players wanted to be role models for all New Zealand children from all cultures.

“Hopefully with the four Maori boys in the team, we can show people there is a different way out.’’

By going to school, doing well with their school work and by playing and excelling in sport young New Zealanders could make a difference to their lives.

“They might have a tough start but the future’s always bright.

All White Chris Killen shares his thoughts on the World Cup after the match against Italy

New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum meets the media pack after the All Whites – Italy game.

Star World Cup goalkeeper Mark Paston shares his post-Italy thoughts and looks ahead to the All Whites’ match against Paraguay

All White Tony Lochhead shares his thoughts on Italy, the media spotlight, and the importance of family support at the World Cup.

Phil Pickering-Parker makes a presentation to Ricki Herbert and the All Whites from Maori Football, to show support for the team from all of Aotearoa.

All Whites coach Ricky Herbert shares his thoughts on the team to take on Paraguay in the upcoming do-or-die World Cup match

The goalkeeper is the ultimate last line in defence for any football team, and this World Cup has proven how critical a solid keeper is to winning matches. In this OnSport feature we profile the three keepers that are part of the All Whites Squad: Mark Paston, James Bannatyne and Glenn Moss.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has confirmed goalkeeper Mark Paston will retain the goalkeeping gloves for New Zealand’s clash against Paraguay at the 2010 FIFA World Cup on Thursday.

Glen Moss’ four-game suspension has ended, meaning he would be available to play between the sticks against the South Americans.

Paston was in sublime form behind a strong rearguard led by Ryan Nelsen and a string of top class saves from the Phoenix custodian helped the All Whites pull off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far.

At a media session attended by a throng of local, New Zealand and international media, Paston told reporters he was obviously keen to play every game in the World Cup.

“All you can do is chuck your name in the hat and hope the coach pulls it out.”

Paston said he was pretty happy with his performance. “Obviously in the first game there were a couple of moments which were a little bit nerve wracking but I’m happy with the way I played yesterday obviously and I’m really looking forward to the Paraguay game now.”

Paston said there was pressure on every player to perform. He had tried to prepare as well as possible “and I hope that’s shown on the pitch”.

Herbert said New Zealand was in a good position with Paston and Moss both available to play against Paraguay but he confirmed he would keep Paston on the pitch.

“Mark will start against Paraguay.”

Herbert said he was unlikely to make any changes to the starting 11 for the Paraguay match.

Paraguay is a strong side but Herbert said the All Whites had nothing to fear.
“We didn’t fear the Italians, we didn’t fear Slovakia and we won’t fear the Paraguayans.”

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The All Whites’ 1-1 draw with Italy has sparked a huge surge in media interest in New Zealand’s national team.
The players were today enjoying a well-earned rest after causing the upset at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

A large New Zealand media contingent has travelled to South Africa to follow the All Whites’ progress at the FIFA World Cup.

But on Monday there were around 60 journalists and cameramen at Serengeti Estate and Golf Resort, where the players have been staying.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and several players were in hot demand for interviews including with ESPN, South African television and other foreign media when they fronted up to talk to the media.

Players said they had spoken to journalists from many different countries for a variety of media organisations.

Defender Tony Lochhead said he had been interviewed by an Israeli journalist.

“Apparently they want a game against us in New Zealand.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen this many media…. Everyone’s recognising what we’ve done,” he said.

Goalkeeper Mark Paston said the media interest was 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 in New Zealand football, so it’s fantastic.”

Paston said the players had been made aware of interest 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 also said the support from the Kiwi fans at Nelspruit yesterday 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, everyone was exhausted and they said ‘come back out all the Kiwi supporters are still out there’. So we went back out and you get another sort of burst of energy, everyone was buzzing, it’s just hard to describe,” he said.

“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 locker room afterwards to congratulate the players.

Paston said it showed how far the game of football had come to have the Prime Minister of New Zealand go to the game and meet with the players.

Asked what John Key had told the players in the changing rooms and Lochhead said Mr Key had been “just really proud”.

“He was just happy to be a part of it. It was great to have him there… It was a pretty special moment to have him there and to get a result like that was awesome with him there.

Phil Pickering-Parker from Maori Football leads Rory Fallon, Leo Bertos, Winston Reid and Jeremy Christie in an impromptu haka the day after the All Whites match against Italy.

Simon Elliott in the Eye of the Storm from ONSport on Vimeo.

All Whites kingpin Simon Elliott on his reaction to the Italian job and the task ahead in meeting Paraguay.

Tommy Smith: "He flung himself to the floor" from ONSport on Vimeo.

All White Tommy Smith talks about his booking in the match against Italy and the upcoming match against Paraguay

The finisher: Shane Smeltz on Paraguay from ONSport on Vimeo.

All Whites goalscorer against Italy Shane Smeltz speaks about New Zealand’s upcoming match against Paraguay.

Ricky Herbert Schools Up The Foreign Press from ONSport on Vimeo.

A message from Ricky Herbert for Facebook fans from ONSport on Vimeo.

The day after the great game against Italy, Coach Ricky Herbert has a special message for All Whites Facebook fans…

NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand will head into the final group match against Paraguay with their chances of securing a place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup very much alive after securing a “nation-stopping” 1-1 draw with reigning World Champions Italy in Nelspruit’s Mbombela Satdium on Monday morning  (NZT).

It took just seven minutes for the 78th ranked All Whites to shock the four-time winners as Shane Smeltz got on the end of Simon Elliott free-kick via helpful touches from both Winston Reid and Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro before slotting the ball past Federico Marchetti.

But Italy, who targeted Rory Fallon and the Guatemalan referee throughout the match with a campaign of histrionics, drew level in the 29th minute when Daniele De Rossi took a tumble in the area to earn a penalty which Vicenzo Iaquinta gladly converted.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert hailed the result as easily the finest result for football in New Zealand and had a word for those who had written off the All Whites chances.

“This is the World Cup and anything’s possible,” Herbert said.

“There’ve been some interesting results but I don’t think you’ve seen one as big as that one. I don’t think anybody would have remotely given us a chance tonight.

“We’re doing okay for a team that’s supposedly got some amateurs in it. We were playing the four-time world champions and a lot of people thought we shouldn’t have been here and maybe not be part of the World Cup because the way we qualified was easy.

“Well, you can write your own stories now – we’ve just done it again.”

The All Whites and Italy, both on two points, lie behind Paraguay who beat Slovakia 2-0 to move to the top of Group F on four points. A win over Paraguay on Friday morning (NZT) would guarantee New Zealand a place in the knockout stages, while a draw may still be good enough depending on what happens between Italy and Slovakia in their final pool match.

Moments after Smeltz’s opener Mark Paston was called on for the first of a string of impressive saves, batting away a Riccardo Montolivo free-kick as it sailed into dangerous territory, while the Fiorintina midfielder was denied by the woodwork shortly before the Italians levelled.

Ivan Vicelich blasted a long-range effort just wide in the 63rd minute and Paston again proved Motolivo’s nemesis with a stunning save to keep out a goal-bound 30 yard strike minutes later.

New Zealand’s defence stood firm in the face of building pressure from the Azzurri and with seven minutes remaining substitute Chris Wood turned Cannavaro on the edge of the area but saw his shot go narrowly wide.

FIFA World Cup: Group F
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

New Zealand 1 (Shane Smeltz 7) Italy 1 (Vicenzo Iaquinta 29-pen)
Halftime: 1-1

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 5-Ivan VICELEICH (21-Jeremy CHRISTIE 81), 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN (13-Andy BARRON 90+3), 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON (20-Chris WOOD 63), 19-Tommy SMITH.
Substitutes not used: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 8-Tim BROWN, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).
Suspended: 12-Glen MOSS (GK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Cautions: Rory FALLON 14, Tommy SMITH 28, Ryan NELSEN 87

Italy: 12-Federico MARCHETTI (GK), 3-Domenico CRISCITO, 4-Giorgio CHIELLINI, 5-Fabio CANNAVARO (captain), 6-Daniele DE ROSSI, 7-Simone PEPE (16-Mauro CAMORANESI 46), 9-Vincenzo IAQUINTA, 11-Alberto GILARDINO (10-Antonio DI NATALE 46), 15-Claudio MARCHISIO (20-Giampaolo PAZZINI 61), 19-Gianluca ZAMBROTTA, 22-Riccardo MONTOLIVO.
Substitutes not used:   2-Christian MAGGIO, 8-Gennaro GATTUSO, 13-Salvatore BOCCHETTI, 14-Morgan DE SANCTIS (RGK), 17-Angelo PALOMBO, 18-Fabio QUAGLIARELLA, 21-Andrea PIRLO, 23-Leonardo BONUCCI.
Coach:  Marcello LIPPI

He was there in 82 as a player with the All Whites, now Frank van Hattum is the Chairman of New Zealand Football. Frank watched the Italy game with PM John Key and FIFA boss Sepp Blatter.

We’re with the fans in the stands as the All Whites fight out a 1 All draw with Italy.

Our Prime Minister John Key was in South Africa amongst the kiwi faithful cheering the team on to a fantastic result against the world champions Italy.

All Whites media man Jamie Scott gives us a sneak look inside the Mbombela Stadium as the All Whites touch down in Nelspruit to face Italy.

NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen is refusing to play the role of happy-go-lucky underdog when the All Whites take on defending world champions Italy in Nelspruit on Monday morning (NZT).

Nelsen will lead an unchanged line-up out against the Azzurri at Mbombela Stadium, where a win for either side would see them break free of the Group F logjam – all four sides have one point after their first match – and put one foot into the knockout stages.

Bookmakers may have the All Whites at long odds to beat the four time World Cup winners but Nelsen doesn’t think that means a New Zealand side with hopes of springing more surprises has nothing to lose.

“We’re prepared as well as we can. We’ve put ourselves in a very good position from the first game and we’ll let the soccer gods decide,” Nelsen said after the team’s official training in Nelspruit.

“Obviously, nothing to lose is fairly reckless approach. We’re well organised, well prepared and no matter what happens in the game the boys will be doing everything.”

Nelsen also dismissed any suggestion of nerves heading into a match where a result would shade the 1-1 draw with Slovakia that earned the Kiwis an historic first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup.

“The biggest pressure for us was in the qualifying playoff against Bahrain in Wellington. In front of our own fans, a packed house, a must win game. That’s the biggest pressure our players will ever face.

“I think that showed against Slovakia, none of our team were worried, none showed any signs of nerves. We held it together well, held the discipline and got a result.

“We could be playing Italy, Brazil or the greatest team ever in the history of sport, but these guys are just confident in who they are and what they’ve prepared for so I don’t think nerves will be a factor.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has unsurprisingly made no changes to the side that made New Zealand footballing history despite vice-captain Tim Brown coming back into contention after his rapid recovery from shoulder surgery.

Little over than a year ago, New Zealand lead Italy three times before losing 4-3 three in a warm-up to the FIFA Confederations Cup and while Herbert believes his side wiould draw confidence from that he was quick to point out a World Cup group match was a far cry from a friendly against an experimental side.

“There’s a hell of a lot on the line and being the holders of the World Cup, I’m sure Italy see this game as a strong opportunity to win.”

Italy will be without first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon , who has a herniated disc in his back while Andre Pirlo is likely to sit out with a injured left calf muscle.

The match starts at 4pm local time (2am Monday NZT) with Slovakia and Paraguay clashing at 1.30 pm (11.30 pm NZT) in Group F’s other fixture.

FIFA World Cup: Group F
New Zealand v Italy
Mbombela Stadium
Nelspruit
June 20, 2010
4pm local (2am June 21 NZT)

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH.
Substitutes: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 8-Tim BROWN, 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Jeremy CHRISTIE, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).
Suspended: 12-Glen MOSS (GK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Italy (from): 1-Gianluigi BUFFON(GK), 2-Christian MAGGIO, 3-Domenico CRISCITO, 4-Giorgio CHIELLINI, 5-Fabio CANNAVARO, 6-Daniele DE ROSSI, 7-Simone PEPE, 8-Gennaro GATTUSO, 9-Vincenzo IAQUINTA, 10-Antonio DI NATALE, 11-Alberto GILARDINO, 12-Federico MARCHETTI (GK), 13-Salvatore BOCCHETTI, 14-Morgan DE SANCTIS (GK), 15-Claudio MARCHISIO, 16-Mauro CAMORANESI, 17-Angelo PALOMBO, 18-Fabio QUAGLIARELLA, 19-Gianluca ZAMBROTTA, 20-Giampaolo PAZZINI, 21-Andrea PIRLO, 22-Riccardo MONTOLIVO, 23-Leonardo BONUCCI.
Coach:  Marcello LIPPI

A large contingent of mums, dads, kids and friends are traveling with the All White squad in South Africa. At the first training run after the match against Slovakia, Ricki Herbert invited the families along to watch the team go through their paces.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand are not taking anything for granted as they gear up to face World Champions Italy in Nelspruit on Monday morning (NZT).

The All Whites were back in the township of Daveyton on Thursday training as a full squad for the first time since securing an historic and dramatic draw against Slovakia in Rustenburg.

After the training session, All Whites coach Ricki Herbert spoke to New Zealand and international media – including several Italian journalists – about New Zealand’s chances against an Italian side level pegging with the New Zealand on one point in Group F after a 1-1 draw with Paraguay.

“Look, I’m sure everybody in the group thought they would get three points out of New Zealand and maybe the Slovakia result will change Italy’s thinking a small bit but I don’t know,” Herbert said.

New Zealand’s first ever point at a FIFA World Cup has seen interest in the Kiwis build in the days before their date with the Azzurri at Mbombela Stadium on June 20 (2am June 21 NZT).

Herbert said the team had targeted four points from their three matches to progress to the second round with that equation now reduced to one even more historic victory from the final two group matches.

“I think the beauty of it and great for the country is that no matter what happens against Italy, we’re still not out of it.”

There is still some guesswork over who Italy will put on the field on Sunday.
Herbert said New Zealand could only go on the most recent footage. Italy had huge depth of talent so New Zealand would just have to wait and see the team sheet.

Andrea Pirlo has apparently been ruled out while there is a possibility Italy’s top goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon – substituted at half time against Paraguay – might not be on the pitch on Sunday. Herbert said Buffon was an outstanding keeper “but no doubt the second one’s quality as well”.

Tommy Smith and whose growth in his role within the back three continued with another accomplished performance against Slovakia, was respectful of the Italian side but determined.

The Italian team would be a good one as all Italian teams were and New Zealand would just have to deal with the fact that Italy had good players, said Smith.

However, New Zealand wanted to win and had taken lessons away from the Slovakia match.

“I think we’ve learned that we can match anyone on our day, we can score goals and if we hold our own at the back, there’s no reason why we can’t win games, “said Smith.

Everyone was expecting Italy to get a result against New Zealand “and we want to prove them wrong”.

Simon Elliott, arguably New Zealand’s standout on Tuesday said the World had yet to see the best of the Italians at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The All Whites were expecting a tough game from a group of top level professionals who were household names.

Asked what the All Whites wanted from Italy and Elliot said it was more about “what we want from ourselves and what Italy are going to give us.”

“You can’t really look at all three games individually; you’ve got to get them right as a group.

All Whites midfielder Simon Elliott talks to the press after the first training session after the team’s 1-1 draw against Slovakia in the World Cup

All Whites defender Tommy Smith talks to the press after the first training session after the team’s 1-1 draw against Slovakia in the World Cup

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert talks to the press about the upcoming match against Italy after the first training session after the team’s 1-1 draw against Slovakia in the World Cup.

Barbeque chef extraordinaire (and All Whites striker) Rory Fallon introduces us to some of the whanau the day after the team’s legendary draw with Slovakia in the 2010 World Cup.

Ricky Herbert and Ryan Nelsen meet the press at Royal Bafeking Stadium the day before their World Cup opening match against Slovakia. Don’t expect a haka! makes great watching in retrospect!

The All Whites equalized in the last seconds of the first game in the World Cup against Slovakia, making history in front of a crowd of dedicated Kiwis at the stadium and millions more back home. Awesome. Frank Van Hatten, Michal Glading, Miles Davis, All Whites fans and a couple of cows give their feedback on the match.

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – A last gasp Winston Reid header deep into injury time earned New Zealand an historic and dramatic 1-1 draw against Slovakia in Rustenburg to leave the All Whites firmly in the mix in Group F at the FIFA World Cup.

With time ticking away and New Zealand a goal down to a 50th minute Robert Vittek header, Reid climbed high over Zdenko Strba at the back post to meet a perfectly flighted Shane Smeltz cross, sparking wild celebrations throughout the New Zealand squad.
The draw earns New Zealand its first ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals and leaves all four teams in Group F level on one point after Monday’s 1-1 draw between Italy and Paraguay.
“We’ve got a really proud dressing room there. We came across with intentions to make a difference and we’ve done that. I thought we played very well against a highly ranked team so I’m very proud.”

With New Zealand’s next two games against World Champions Italy (June 15) and Paraguay (June 24th) taking on added importance, Herbert was reluctant to overplay the draw but did acknowledge, when pushed, the significance of the result.

“It’s probably well up there, it’ll have to be,” Herbert said.

“We were never picked to get a point at a World Cup albeit we’ve only been twice. We got a result over Serbia but people want to tell you that was a friendly.

“We’ve come and thrown some pretty good punches tonight and got a well deserved point.”

The best early chances fell to the All Whites with Chris Killen putting a shot and then a header wide within the first 10 minutes.

New Zealand’s defence endured some testing moments, including when a scuffed clearance from goalkeeper Mark Paston left the All Whites defence momentarily scrambling to clear the danger from Vladimir Weiss.

The sides went into halftime level but five minutes after the restart, Vittek off Reid’s shoulder evaded the offside trap and headed Slovakia into the lead.

Slovakia sat on their lead for 20 minutes, but burst back into life with Reid, Ryan Nelsen and Tony Lochhead all throwing themselves into making potential goal saving blocks.

An unmarked Smeltz looked to have wasted New Zealand’s best chance to draw level minutes from fulltime but combined well with Lochhead before providing the killer ball for Reid’s historic goal.

IFA World Cup: Group F
New Zealand 1 (Winston REID 90+3) Slovakia 1 (Robert VITTEK 50)
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Rustenburg
June 15, 2010

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 5-Ivan VICELEICH (21-Jeremy CHRISTIE 78), 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN (20-Chris WOOD 72), 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH.
Substitutes not used: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 8-Tim BROWN, 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).
Suspended: 12-Glen MOSS (GK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Slovakia: 1-Jan MUCHA (GK), 3-Martin SKRTEL, 4-Marek CECH, 5-Radoslav ZABAVNIK, 6-Zdenko STRBA, 7-Vladimir WEISS (19-Juraj KUCKA 91), 9-Stanislav SESTAK (13-Filip HOLOSKO 81), 11-Robert VITTEK (15-Miroslav STOCH 84), 16-Jan DURICA, 17-Marek HAMSIK, 18-Erik JENDRISEK.
Substitutes not used:2-Peter PEKARIK, 8-Jan KOZAK, 10-Marek SAPARA, 12-Dusan PERNIS (RGK), 14-Martin JAKUBKO, 20-Kamil KOPUNEK, 21-Kornel SALATA, 22-Martin PETRAS, 23-Dusan KUCIAK (GK),
Coach: Vladimir WEISS
Cautions: Tony LOCHHEAD (NZL) 42′, Zdenko STRBA (SVK) 55′, Winston REID (NZL) 90′+

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and captain Ryan Nelsen have paid tribute to the weight of public support emanating from New Zealand ahead of their opening FIFA World Cup clash against Slovakia on Tuesday night (NZT).

Messages have been flooding in to the team via letters, email, Facebook and Twitter and captain Ryan Nelsen says the backing since the team assembled back 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 the team’s official training at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

“It’s amazing for us. When we come back to New Zealand we don’t normally get this kind of publicity and support so it’s very humbling and very exciting. When we go out there tomorrow we’ll be doing all we can to make sure every New Zealander are proud of what we’re trying to do.”

While aware of their status as World Cup underdogs, Nelsen was adamant New Zealand were not World Cup tourists, pointing a encouraging string of competitive performances through Australia and Europe in the weeks leading up to landing in South Africa.

“We want to win. We’ve proved over the last four or five games that we’re very competitive.

“We know the brutal reality of World Cup football is that you can play extremely well and lose all three games and that’s life. But we’re a good side, we’re competitive and we want to win. It’s as simple as that.”

Herbert picked up on his captain’s sentiments when asked if New Zealand’s World Cup footballers had the support from their rugby counterparts.

“We’ve probably got all sporting codes in New Zealand right in behind us. As a sporting achievement, playing at a World Cup is right up there.

“We’ve had a lot of good wishes and a lot of prominent sportspeople have sent us messages of support which we really appreciate, and we’ll do the same thing for them when the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup at home next year.”

To send the All Whites a message of support email info@nzfootball.co.nz or follow the All Whites on the links below.
www.facebook.com/AllWhites
www.twitter.com/NZ_Football
http://www.allwhites.onsport.co.nz/forum/#/news/

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has named an experienced line-up for the All Whites 2010 FIFA World Cup opener against Slovakia in Rustenburg on Tuesday night (NZT).

Oceania Player of the Year and New Zealand’s most capped player in ‘A’ internationals Ivan Vicelich (66 caps) will partner Simon Elliott – who is only three caps behind the Auckland City captain – in the centre of midfield with the rest of the team having a settled look about it after encouraging performances against Australia, Serbia and Slovenia in recent weeks.

“We’ve always considered Ivan in midfield. He’s played the length of his professional career in that role so he gets the nod tomorrow.

“I wouldn’t say it was an easy decision to select the team, let alone the central midfield positions but that’s what we’ve gone with and I’m sure Ivan will be comfortable in there.”

Ryan Nelsen captains the side from the heart of defence and will be flanked by relative newcomers Tommy Smith and Winston Reid after strong showings in the 1-0 win over Serbia and a 1-3 defeat to Slovenia. Mark Paston starts in goal.

Leo Bertos and Tony Lochhead will carry on in the wingback roles they have performed since the World Cup playoff against Bahrain while Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon and Chris Killen will continue as Herbert’s preferred three-pronged attack.

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen said a Slovakian side that finished top of its qualifying group ahead of Slovenia and the Czech Republic had “his utmost respect.”

“We know after playing Serbia and Slovenia, who we think are similar, that Slovakia will be very strong, very disciplined and very organised. We have a lot of respect for what they did through their qualifying campaign and for their team all round. They are a difficult side to play against, much like ourselves.”

FIFA World Cup: Group F
New Zealand v Slovakia
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Rustenburg
June 15, 2010
1.30pm local (11.30pm NZT)

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 10-Chris KILLEN, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH.
Substitutes: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 8-Tim BROWN, 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Jeremy CHRISTIE, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).
Suspended: 12-Glen MOSS (GK).
Coach: Ricki HERBERT

Slovakia (from): 1-Jan MUCHA (GK), 2-Peter PEKARIK, 3-Martin SKRTEL, 4-Marek CECH, 5-Radoslav ZABAVNIK, 6-Zdenko STRBA, 7-Vladimir WEISS, 8-Jan KOZAK, 9-Stanislav SESTAK, 10-Marek SAPARA, 11-Robert VITTEK, 12-Dusan PERNIS (GK), 13-Filip HOLOSKO, 14-Martin JAKUBKO, 15-Miroslav STOCH, 16-Jan DURICA, 17-Marek HAMSIK, 18-Erik JENDRISEK, 19-Juraj KUCKA, 20-Kamil KOPUNEK, 21-Kornel SALATA, 22-Martin PETRAS, 23-Dusan KUCIAK (GK),
Coach: Vladimir WEIS

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Mike Hester will become the first New Zealander to referee a FIFA World Cup match when Korea Republic play Greece in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night (NZT) while Peter O’Leary will be fourth official for Algeria’s clash with Slovenia in Polokwane on Sunday.

Fellow Kiwis Jan Hendrik Hintz and Brent Best will also play their part with Hintz an assistant referee in Hester’s all-Oceania trio and Best acting as a reserve assistant referee in the Slovenia match.
Hester’s and O’Leary’s teams are among thirty trios selected for the FIFA World Cup finals with New Zealand and Mexico the only countries to have two teams selected.

Their final selection comes after appointments to various other FIFA tournaments in recent years and a rigorous testing regime.

“I was confident we had done everything we could during the selection process and nothing was left in the tank. But I was also aware that only the very best would be selected for FIFA’s biggest stage,” Hester said.

“It’s a tribute to OFC and New Zealand Football that we’ve been able to get two trios in the final 30. It shows what opportunities are available in refereeing with the right programmes in place.”

The four Kiwis – Tongan Tevita Makasini and Mathew Taro from the Solomon Islands make up the two trios – follow in the footsteps of assistant referee Paul Smith, who ran the line for three matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.

June 12th
Match #4 – Korea Republic vs Greece
Referee: HESTER Michael (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: HINTZ Jan Hendrik (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: MAKASINI Tevita (TGA)
Fourth Official: VAZQUEZ Martin (URU)
Reserve Assistant Referee: PASTORINO Carlos (URU)

June 13th
Match #6 – Algeria vs Slovenia
Referee: POZO Pablo (CHI)
Assistant Referee 1: BASUALTO Patricio (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: MONDRIA Francisco (CHI)
Fourth Official: O LEARY Peter (NZL)
Reserve Assistant Referee: BEST Brent (NZL)

All Whites coach Rocky Herbert fields questions from the media pack after the open training session at Daveyton, Johannesburg.

All Whites Skipper Ryan Nelson speaks with media about the upcoming Slovakia match after the team’s open training session in Daveyton, Johannesburg

From the sidelines of the All White’s open training session in Daveyton, Johannesburg, leading New Zealand sports journalist, identity, personality and celebrity James McOnie talks us through the media storm that is following the All Whites.

All Whites keeper Mark Paston shares his thoughts ahead of the team’s World Cup opener against Slovakia

Melusi Zikala lives in Daveyton, Johannesburg, where the All Whites’ training camp is located. Here’s his message to New Zealand as the All Whites begin their World Cup tournament.

How do the All Whites travel around Johannesburg safely? With the assistance of dozens of local police, flashing lights and one big bus. Team PR man Paul Gunn explains.

All Whites goalkeeper James Bannatyne shares his thoughts on the controversial World Cup ball after training at Daveyton, Johannesburg.

A couple of days out from the All Whites  opening match at the World Cup we catch up with Andy Barron to find out what he thinks it will take to make it into the starting lineup.

At the gym the day after their friendly game against Chile, Simon Elliott shares his thoughts on the All Whites progress in the World Campaign.

Today marked the welcome return of Tim Brown to the All Whites squad. TIm arrived in Johannesburg to meet the NZ media before heading to Serengeti Resort to join the buildup for Tuesday’s World Cup opener.

From the field straight after the training match against Chile, All Whites coach Ricki Herbert takes questions from the NZ media contingent.

When the All Whites got together with Chile for a training friendly at Kanyamazane Stadium, the whole township came out to watch. It was the All Whites’ first training game in Africa, and it was an unforgettable day of color, noise and football.

NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand have wrapped up their on-field preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a training match against fellow finalist Chile in Nelspruit on Wednesday.

Played in three 30 minute periods, the match was not classed as an official international but instead a chance for both sides to try different combinations and give fringe players time on the pitch.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert took near-full advantage of the opportunity, making eight substitutions and three positional switches throughout the match.

After two even half hour spells, Chile shaded the affair with two goals in the final third.

“I think we got pretty much everything we wanted,” said Herbert after the training run.

“The first two periods we went with a stronger side and didn’t make too many changes for 60 minutes and though we were very comfortable.

“Everybody was going to get a shot so the last 30 was always going to be tough for us so I’m very pleased.”

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen did not travel to Nelspruit but instead stayed at the team’s base camp near Johannesburg to recover from an ear infection. He is expected to be fit to play Slovakia on June 15.

On Thursday the squad will recover or train in two groups tomorrow and will be joined in the evening by Tim Brown who arrives from New Zealand on an afternoon flight.

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK/23-James BANNATYNE 61), 2-Ben SIGMUND, 3-Tony LOCHHEAD (18-Andrew BOYENS 74), 4-Winston REID (15-Michael MCGLINCHEY 43), 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 7-Simon ELLIOTT (captain/21-Jeremy CHRISTIE 31), 10-Chris KILLEN (17-David MULLIGAN 61), 11-Leo BERTOS  (13-Andy BARRON 77), 14-Rory FALLON (9-Shane SMELTZ 31), 19-Tommy SMITH, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE (20-Chris WOOD 47).
Substitutes not used: 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, Cole PEVERLEY.

From our friends at Stuff…

Striker Esteban Paredes staked his claim for a place in Chile’s World Cup starting lineup on Wednesday by scoring the second goal in a 2-0 defeat of fellow tournament hopefuls New Zealand.

Paredes has been largely – read more

AUCKLAND –Tim Brown will depart for South Africa on a flight early Thursday morning after an incredible rehabilitative effort following surgery to repair a fracture to his upper right arm.

Brown sustained the injury in a friendly against Australia in Melbourne on May 24, but has be passed fit to travel and resume training with the rest of the All Whites squad. New Zealand team doctor Celeste Geertsema will now take over supervision of Brown’s recovery programme on the ground in South Africa.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said all the coaching staff and players were looking forward to having Brown back in the camp.

“Tim is a vital member of the squad on and off the field and he has been instrumental in creating our strong team culture.

 “He’s made a remarkable recovery, and we want to thank the surgeon, Stu Walsh, and all the medical staff involved for their tremendous work over the last few weeks.  We look forward to having Tim back with us.

Cole Peverley, who joined the squad in Austria as cover for Brown will stay with the team as injury cover until further notice.

JOHANESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The New Zealand national touched down in South Africa today, nine days before their FIFA World Cup opener against Slovakia on June 15.

The All Whites have already been on the road for 18 days following a brief camp in New Zealand and have since travelled over 32,000 kilometres, got a taste of altitude and played three tough warm-up games against Australia, Serbia and Slovenia with one win and two competitive losses.

With just a training match to come against Chile on Wednesday, New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was finally pleased to touch down in Africa and begin the final leg of the World Cup journey.

“We’ve had some pretty good preparation in Europe but we’re here now and into the real thing,” said Herbert on arrival at OR Tambo International airport.
The team settled into their impressive accommodation at Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate and will train on Monday at nearby Sinada Stadium.

June 9
New Zealand v Chile
Nelspruit, South Africa
Kickoff 1.30pm (11.30pm NZT)

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
June 15
New Zealand v Slovakia
Rustenburg
1.30pm (11.30pm NZT)

June 20
New Zealand v Italy
Nelspruit
4pm (2am June 21 NZT)

June 24
New Zealand v Paraguay
Polokwane
4pm (2am June 25 NZT)

Check out this sideline view of the All Whites walking out onto the pitch for their game against Slovenia.  Ricki Herbert acknowledges some of the Kiwi fans that have made the trip to watch the match.

MARIBOR, SLOVENIA – A third competitive performance in a fortnight and sustaining no further injuries were two major positives New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert took from the All Whites’ 1-3 loss to world number 25 Slovenia in Maribor on Saturday morning (NZT).

In a goal laden first half, two clinical free kicks from Milivoje Novakovic sandwiched a Rory Fallon equaliser and a tap-in from Andraz Kirm rounded out the scoring in the 43rdminute.

Following a narrow loss to Australia in Melbourne and a impressive win over Serbia in Austria another competitive showing against a fellow finalist keeps alive New Zealand hopes of a credible display in a FIFA World Cup campaign that begins against Slovakia on June 15.

“We’ve got what we’ve needed from the tour,” said Herbert.

“We’ve played tough challenging matches against three top sides and we’ve been more than competitive. We leave Europe with it having been a real positive step.”

With vice-captain Tim Brown fighting to recover from shoulder surgery and striker Chris Killen rested because of a tight calf, getting through the fixture unscathed was also vitally important.

“Overall it’s in everyone’s best interests to make sure we’ve got our best players fit and available for selection.

“We’ve been through Australia and Europe and we have no more injuries. Killen’s calf just needs a little bit of time and he should be fine. And this stage we’ve got a good group who’s had three solid games and we could be ready now.”

Novakovic curled  his first goal over the wall and past Mark Paston for a seventh minute opener after New Zealand conceded a free kick 25 metres out.

The All Whites levelled 13 minutes later when Chris Wood met a Leo Bertos cross at the back post and headed the ball down for Fallon.

On the half hour mark Novakovic struck his second, again from a free kick 35 metres out but this time low and to Paston’s left and with the assistance of a generous 10 yards given between himself and the wall by the

Another knockdown from Wood resulted in a 38th minute strike from Shane Smeltz that Handanovic palmed around the post and a minute later the highly rated Slovenian keeper somehow managed to paw a shot from Wood onto the cross bar after Fallon headed on a Simon Elliott free kick.

But two minutes before halftime, a Zlatko Dedic shot deceived Mark Paston in flight, bouncing out of his grasp and into the path of Andres Kirm who extended the home team’s lead.

Fallon, Tommy Smith and Winston Reid all had chances in the second half but couldn’t reduce the deficit.

The All Whites returned back to their Austrian base in Bad Waltersodrf after the match and will depart for South Africa tomorrow. They arrive on Sunday June 6 with just a training match against Chile left on June 9 before their opener against Slovakia on June 15.

New Zealand 1 (Rory Fallon 20) Slovenia 3 (Milivoje Novakovic 7, 30; Andraz Kirm 43)
Halftime: 1-3

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH, 20-Chris WOOD (22-Jeremy BROCKIE 46), 21-Jeremy CHRISTIE.
Substitutes not used: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK).

Cautions: Winston Reid 29

Slovenia: 1-Samir HANDANOVIC (GK), 2-Miso BRECKO (6-Branko ILIC 76), 4-Marko SULER, 5-Bostjan CESAR, 8-Robert KOREN, 9-Zlatan LJUBIJANKIC (14-Zlatko DEDIC 12), 10-Valter BIRSA, 11-Milivoje NOVAKOVIC (7-Nejc PECNIK 61), 13-Bojan JOKIC, 17-Andraz KIRM (23-Tim MATAVZ 87), 18-Aleksander RADOSAVLJEVIC (15-Rene KRHIN 78).

Substitutes not used:  3-Elvedin DZINIC, 12-Jasmin HANDANOVIC (RGK), 19-Suad FILEKOVIC, 20-Andrej KOMAC,  21-Dalibor STEVANOVIC, 22-Matej MAVRIC-ROZIC.

Cautions: -Bostjan Cesar 70

AUCKLAND – Eight days after surgery to repair his fractured shoulder, Tim Brown is continuing to maintain a positive outlook and is progressing well with his rehabilitation programme. The injury was sustained after falling heavily in a challenge with Australian player Vince Grella.

All Whites team doctor, Celeste Geertsema, is very pleased with the way Tim has responded to treatment and the way his rehabilitation is progressing.

“Tim has been reviewed by the surgeon yesterday and his progress has been excellent. He has already embarked on a rehabilitation program and this will be progressed over the next week. We are all very pleased with the speed with which he is recovering and we remain optimistic that he will be able to join the team in South Africa. However, he will be re-assessed on Wednesday 9 June, and a decision regarding his availability for the World Cup will only be made at that stage.”

Tim is maintaining a positive mindset and is pleased with his progress to date.

“I’m really happy with the way things have been going. I hope to fit four weeks of rehabilitation into a week and things are going as well as can be expected at this stage, but there is still a way to go. Hopefully I can continue to progress at the rate I have been over the last seven days.”

Brown is now out of his sling and is undertaking daily physiotherapy along with fitness training including cycling on a stationary bicycle and walking. Brown is due to start running tomorrow and is focusing on achieving daily improvements.

Lighthearted clip of the Shane Smeltz and David Mulligan having a game of Football Tennis while at Practice in Austria

Miss New Zealand Cody Yerkovich becomes the All Whites 24th man. Cody models on the All Whites kit, and has a bit of a kick around at NZ Football head quarters before heading to South Africa to meet up with the team.

Tony Lochhead talks about the All Whites preparation for the match against Slovenia, and his new role in the teams defensive pattern.

BAD WALTERSDORF, AUSTRIA – A tight calf for New Zealand striker Chris Killen will see him sit out the All Whites World Cup warm up against Slovenia in Maribor on Saturday morning (NZT).

The Middlesbrough forward was due to slot straight back into the New Zealand starting eleven for the match against world number 25 Slovenia after missing the upset win over 15th ranked Serbia to get married back in the United Kingdom.

However, he did not see out New Zealand’s final training run and instead West Bromwich Albion teenager Chris Wood retains his starting spot in an unchanged line-up with New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert not willing to risk injury ahead of a FIFA World Cup opener against Slovakia in less than a fortnight’s time.

“I think we’ve performed at a level that shown what we can potentially do,” said Herbert.

“We’ve had two very competitive games on tour and now it’s about protection. The last thing I want is injuries so we’ll be very careful with this group. I’m not interested in the result.”

Despite the unchanged line-up, Herbert says he has yet to write names on the start list for the June 15 date against Slovakia.

“We’ve gone for with a bit of stability for this match.”

“At the back I think it was important to play Winston Reid and Tommy Smith but there’s massive competition there from Ivan Vicelich and Ben Sigmund, and those two will get time either in this match or against Chile.”

It also means Jeremy Christie holds down the midfield spot left open by the injury to vice-captain Tim Brown against Australia on May 24.

“Simon Elliott and Jeremy haven’t played together apart from that last game so it’s important again to give them more time.”

With a point proved against Serbia, Herbert indicated this friendly would see him draw deeper into his substitutes. Up to six replacements are permitted in the fixture meaning valuable game time for some players to impress.

The match kicks off at 6.45am Saturday New Zealand time, live on Sky Sport 3.

New Zealand v Slovenia
Maribor, Slovenia
June 4, 2010
Kickoff 8.45pm (6.45am June 5 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 3

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Jeremy CHRISTIE.
Substitutes: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 8-Cole PEVERLEY, 10-Chris KILLEN, 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK),

Slovenia (from): Samir HANDANOVIC, Jasmin HANDANOVIC, Aleksander SELIGA, Bojan JOKIC, Marko SULER, Bostjan CESAR, Branko ILIC, Matej MAVRIC-ROZIC, Elvedin DZINIC, Miso BRECKO, Suad FILEKOVIC, Andraz KIRM, Andrej KOMAC, Rene KRHIN, Dalibor STEVANOVIC, Robert KOREN, Aleksander RADOSAVLJEVIC, Valter BIRSA, Milivoje NOVAKOVIC, Zlatko DEDIC, Zlatan LJUBIJANKIC, Nejc PECNIK, Tim MATAVZ.

BAD WALTERSDORF, AUSTRIA – A day of recovery and a change of scenery has helped the All Whites refocus on their FIFA World Cup mission and put aside the welcome distraction of a confidence boosting win over Serbia.

For some there was no time to lose sight of the main goal: getting ready for a World Cup opener against Slovakia in 15 days time.

Squad members who did not start the Serbian match – including Jeremy Brockie who played close to 30 minutes as a substitute – began a 75 minute training session just minutes after fulltime.

The remainder had more time to enjoy the win and a special reception from the All Whites’ proud hosts in Saint Lambrecht, but an early morning pool session helped soothe tired bodies and shift attention back to South Africa.

“I think today will be used to reflect on the game, and take all the positives with us. It was a good game and something we can use to work forward with,” said defender Winston Reid at the start of the day.

Later, the team travelled from Saint Lambrecht to Bad Waltersdorf where they will stay and prepare for Friday’s friendly against Slovenia – across the border in Moribor – at a facility venue used annually by London club Arsenal for pre-season training.

En route, many of the squad and management took in a friendly between England and Japan in Graz, won 2-1 by England thanks to two second half own goals.

The All Whites resume full training on Monday with the complement of players restored following the return of newly married Chris Killen and the recent arrival of on-standby midfielder Cole Peverley, brought in as injury cover for vice-captain Tim Brown.

Quick catchup with Aaron Clapham at an Austrian Monastery.

A quick interview with Jeremy Christie shot on the Flip in Austria.  Jeremy talks about what its like to train and play at altitude.

Ever wondered what its like to walk out onto the pitch with the All Whites, check this video out.

The All Whites were given a rousing reception back at the Hotel after their victory over Serbia

KLAGENFURT, AUSTRIA – New Zealand stunned world number 15 and fellow FIFA World Cup finalist Serbia with a deserved 1-0 victory in Klagenfurt, Austria today.

Shane Smeltz struck the game’s only goal in the 22nd minute, cutting inside Antonia Rukavina before tucking a shot inside Vladimir Stojkovic’s near post after Rory Fallon had headed Winston Reid’s long pass into the path of his fellow striker.

Ranked 63 places above the All Whites, Serbia are the All Whites biggest scalp since FIFA started publishing its rankings 18 years ago, but with the FIFA World Cup the main focus, New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was not allowing the team to get ahead of itself.

“It’s always been about performance for us, but a win like this over a top class nation like Serbia is a great bonus.

The victory, just New Zealand’s second on European soil, is a timely fillip given the All Whites face two European nations – Slovakia and World champions Italy – in Group F.

It also gave Herbert some food for thought selection wise, with players staking their claims for a World Cup starting spot.

“We made four changes and I thought Tommy Smith and Winston Reid, who only have three caps between them, did extremely well at the back alongside the captain. Jeremy Christie came into midfield and did well and Chris Wood in his first start against a big team was outstanding.

Two minutes after the opening goal, New Zealand almost found a second following some free-flowing build up but Stojkovic managed to beat away Fallon’s shot and Smeltz’s follow-up was somehow deflected to safety.

Serbia too had their chances, and Neven Subotic could have easily levelled the scores with a back post header in the 39th minute, while a pair of Mark Paston saves midway through the second half kept a deserved clean sheet intact.

Paston was called in to action again in the 73rd minute as to swat away a shot that deflected of Nelsen but substitute Jeremy Brockie almost put the game beyond doubt late in the game when he stole in between Vidic and Subotic and laced his shot into the side netting.

The match was marred by crowd disruption, with objects thrown onto the pitch and a handful of Serbian fans ghosting past pitch side security. Serbia’s captain Vidic did his part to calm the guilty section of the crowd down allowing the Austrian referee to restart play and see out the final few minutes.

Goal hero Smeltz, said the team had the belief that they could get a result against top teams and that the focus remained on their World Cup opener against Slovakia on June 15.

“It’s great to get a win over a nation like Serbia who some are saying are dark horses for the World Cup.

“We’ll take some confidence from it obviously, but we won’t be getting carried away.”

Upon their return to St Lambrecht, the All Whites were greeted by a civic reception at their hotel where traditional Austrian folk dancers and bands welcomed the team.

Tomorrow the All Whites travel to Bad Waltersdorf, where they will be based ahead of Friday’s friendly with Slovenia.

Many of the squad will take time out en route in Graz to watch England take on Japan.

New Zealand 1 (Shane Smeltz 22) Serbia 0
Klagenfurt, Austria
Halftime: 1-0

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH, 20-Chris WOOD (22-Jeremy BROCKIE 61), 21-Jeremy CHRISTIE.
Substitutes not used: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 5-Ivan VICELICH, 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK), 8-Cole PEVERLEY

Cautions: Leo Bertos, Tony Lochhead

Serbia: 1-Vladimir STOJKOVIC (GK /23-Andjelko DJURICIC 46), 2-Antonio RUKAVINA, 5-Nemanja VIDIC (Captain), 20-Neven SUBOTIC, 16-Ivan OBRADOVIC (3-Aleksandar KOLAROV 21), 22-Zdravko KUZMANOVIC (21-Dragan MRDJA 59), 11-Nenad MILIJAS (4-Gojko KACAR 46), 7-Zoran TOSIC, 18-Milos NINKOVIC, 15-Nikola ZIGIC, 9-Marko PANTELIC (8-Danko LAZOVIC 66).
Substitutes not used: 10-Dejan STANKOVIC,  12-Zeljko BRKIC (RGK), 13-Aleksandar LUKOVIC, 14-Milan JOVANOVIC, 17-Milos KRASIC, 19-Radosav PETROVIC, 24-Bojan ISAILOVIC (RGK).

The Serbian Captain Nemanja Vidic had to appeal to the Serbian fans for calm as his team faced defeat against the All Whites

ST LAMBRECHT, AUSTRIA – Winston Reid will make his first appearance in an All Whites starting 11 on Sunday morning (NZT) among four changes to the New Zealand side named to play world number 15 Serbia in Klagenfurt, Austria.

Reid, 21, has made over 100 appearances for his Danish club FC Midtjylland and made his senior international debut from the bench against Australia in Melbourne last week.

He will now slot into back three where he and 20-year-old Tommy Smith – another change from the Socceroos clash – flank captain Ryan Nelsen as coach Ricki Herbert looks to find his best side for a World Cup opener against Slovakia on June 15 and inject fresh blood after Tuesday’s bruising encounter.

“Serbia could be one of the hardest games we have, including the World Cup,” said Herbert.

“It’ll be a tough one to back up on after a lot of energy went into the Australia game, all the travelling and settling in but it’s the level of competition that we’ve asked for and we’ve freshened the team a bit with some players.”

Two other changes are forced on Herbert with teenage striker Wood replacing Chris Killen, who has jetted back to the UK to get married, and Jeremy Christie coming in for injured vice-captain Tim Brown in midfield.

“Woodsy was always going to get an opportunity. I’ve been extremely pleased with what he’s done off the bench in the time that he’s had. It’ll be a tough game for him to play in but a really good benchmark for where he’s at.”

Michael McGlinchey was an option to replace Brown in the centre of the park but a tight hamstring means the diminutive midfielder will not be risked.

Whilst tackling a side boasting stars like Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and Inter Milan’s Dejan Stanković will be an invaluable acid test ahead of the FIFA World Cup finals, another match will also be enlightening for New Zealand.

Group F opponents Slovakia take on Cameroon as the first half of a double header at the same venue earlier that day with All Whites coaching staff keen observers.

Austria is proving a popular location for World Cup preparations with no fewer than nine finalists, including England, Spain and the Netherlands, holding training camps in the European state and another three flying in to play friendlies.

The match kicks off at 3.15am New Zealand time, live on Sky Sport 1.

New Zealand v Serbia
Klagenfurt, Austria
May 29, 2010
Kickoff 5.15pm (3.15 May 30 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 1 from 3am

New Zealand: 1-Mark PASTON (GK), 3-Tony LOCHHEAD, 4-Winston REID, 6-Ryan NELSEN (captain), 7 Simon ELLIOTT, 9-Shane SMELTZ, 11-Leo BERTOS, 14-Rory FALLON, 19-Tommy SMITH, 20-Chris WOOD, 21-Jeremy CHRISTIE.
Substitutes: 2-Ben SIGMUND, 5-Ivan VICELEICH, 12-Glen MOSS (RGK), 13-Andy BARRON, 15-Michael MCGLINCHEY, 16-Aaron CLAPHAM, 17-David MULLIGAN, 18-Andrew BOYENS, 22-Jeremy BROCKIE, 23-James BANNATYNE (RGK), Cole PEVERLEY

Serbia (from): Vladimir STOJKOVIC (GK), Zeljko BRKIC (GK), Bojan ISAILOVIC (GK), Andjelko DJURICIC (GK), Branislav IVANOVIC, Antonio RUKAVINA, Nemanja VIDIC, Neven SUBOTIC, Aleksandar LUKOVIC, Ivan OBRADOVIC, Aleksandar KOLAROV, Dejan STANKOVIC (CAPTIAN), Gojko KACAR, Nenad MILIJAS, Zdravko KUZMANOVIC, Radosav PETROVIC, Milos KRASIC, Zoran TOSIC, Milos NINKOVIC, Milan JOVANOVIC, Nikola ZIGIC , Marko PANTELIC , Danko LAZOVIC, Dragan MRDJA

All Whites Coach Ricki Herbert is interviewed for Austrian TV.

All Whites players Aaron Clapham, Mark Paston, Jeremy Brockie, Andy Boywens, James Bannatyne, and Glen Moss get a photo taken outside an Austrian Monastery.

The boys having a kick around at training this morning – Shot on the team Flip

A bit of behind the scenes footage from Austria of Ryan Nelsen being interviewed by Austrian TV – Shot on the Team Flip.

ST LAMBRECHT, AUSTRIA – The New Zealand national team have arrived in Austria set to begin the next leg in their FIFA World Cup preparations.

The All Whites reached the small but picturesque Austrian market town of St Lambrecht on Wednesday night jaded after over 40 hours travelling but hit the training pitch on Thursday morning with a game against world number 15 Serbia in Klagenfurt looming on Saturday.

“Psychologically we’re really in that World Cup mode now. We’ve got teams like England and Japan preparing [in Austria] so there’s a real sense that we’re back on the world stage again,” said New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert.

After starting the so-called ‘Manama 11’ in the heartbreaking loss to Australia at the MCG, Herbert indicated that this leg of the journey may see more opportunities for other players.

“We’ll make some changes personnel-wise but we won’t change tack on what we’ve though is the right process to follow. There’ll be some new players coming in but that will be around their performances rather than anything else.”

Two changes will be forced on Herbert. Vice-captain Tim Brown is recovering well after surgery on a broken shoulder sustained in the trans-Tasman friendly while Monday night’s goal scorer Chris Killen has returned to the UK on a fleeting visit to get married.

At over 1000 metres above sea level St Lambrecht provides an ideal location to acclimatise to the rigours of playing World Cup matches at altitude, but it also offered a chance for players to draw breath after unrivalled public interest in the team in the build-up to its departure.

“It’s been euphoria, even in Australia it was the same. Speaking to the staff and the players it’s good to be here.

“We’re on the grass doing everything that we need to do. We go into this game firmly with players’ performances at the forefront. We’ll try a couple of different combinations, it may or may not work.”

New Zealand v Serbia
Klagenfurt, Austria
May 29, 2010
Kickoff 5.15pm (3.15 May 30 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport 1 from 3am

AUCKLAND. Shoulder surgery has been undertaken this afternoon on All Whites mid-fielder Tim Brown to repair damage sustained to Brown’s shoulder during the New Zealand versus Australia match at the MCG on Monday night.

During the surgery Brown had three screws inserted into the bone to secure the fracture. Initial indications are positive and that the surgery went well, but it is too early yet to say what the recovery time frame for the injury is. The surgery took approximately one hour and forty five minutes.

Brown will stay and recuperate in hospital for the next two days and should be out on Saturday afternoon. An initial update of how the surgery has gone should be available then.

Brown will be back with his specialist in seven days time to for another assessment and hopes to know whether he’ll be able to head to South Africa within a fortnight.

Brown suffered a fracture to his upper arm (a tuberosity fracture of the humerus) after falling heavily in a tackle with Vince Grella during the first half.

AUCKLAND – Team Wellington midfielder Cole Peverley has been drafted into the All Whites World Cup squad as standby for injured vice captain Tim Brown.

Brown returned home to New Zealand yesterday and will undergo surgery on his shoulder tomorrow (May 27) in Auckland. Brown broke a bone in his shoulder during the All Whites 2-1 loss to Australia at the MCG on Monday.

Peverley was part of the domestic training camp held in Auckland earlier this month but missed selection in the original World Cup squad of 23 announced by coach Ricki Herbert on May 10.

21 year old Peverley was a member of the New Zealand Olympic team in Beijing in 2008 and will leave for the All Whites pre-World Cup camp in Austria on Thursday afternoon.

All Whites Coach Ricky Herbert gives us the inside word on who he saw as the standout performers from the Australia game, and looks at what the team has in store as they head to training camp in Austria.

As the All Whites take to the pool and the gym after the bruising encounter with Australia, we get the inside word from the team’s medical crew. As you’ll see the players are obviously still in pretty good spirits despite their loss to the Aussies (Caution: explicit content!)

AUCKAND – All Whites coach Ricki Herbert will give senior midfielder Tim Brown all the time he can to recover from surgery and return to New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup squad after fracturing his shoulder in the 1-2 defeat to Australia at the MCG on Monday night.

Vice-captain Brown was replaced at half time after two heavy falls, first suffering the break – a tuberosity fracture of the humerus – when tackling Vince Grella and then landing directly on the injury in another tussle with the same player.

Following surgery in Auckland on Wednesday morning New Zealand medical staff will have a clearer idea of Brown’s likely recovery time, although a final decision is unlikely to be made for at least another week.

Age and fitness are on Brown’s side as he then looks to recover in time for the New Zealand’s World Cup campaign which begins against Slovakia in Rustenburg on June 15, and Herbert is hopeful the 29 year old would make it back for that match or New Zealand’s second against Italy on June 20.

“Tim’s an integral part of the team. He’s been a big part of things for the last five years and he does a great job for us. It’ll be a big loss should he not make it.

Another player, likely to be drawn from the seven put on stand-by when the 23 man-man squad was named, will now travel to Austria to be ready to officially replace Brown if needed with the final call able to be made as late as June 14.

A decision on which player would be called up will be made in the next 24 hours.

The team departed Melbourne on Tuesday night bound for Austria where they will spend the next 11 days training at altitude with friendlies against Serbia (May 29) and Slovenia (June 4) the next steps in preparing the team for Slovakia.

May 25, 2010

AUCKLAND – New Zealand today officially announced their support of Australia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 or 2022 with the All Whites unveiling a banner with the words ‘FIFA, pass us the ball and Come Play!’.

Australia’s unique location bridges Oceania and south-east Asia, providing significant commercial and development opportunities.

New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum said an Australian-hosted FIFA World Cup™ would be a unique opportunity for New Zealand sporting fans.

“World Cup participation has done wonders for the game in Australia and the signs are it could have a similar effect in New Zealand, but having the world’s biggest sporting event in our neighbourhood would take the game to new heights on both sides of the Tasman,” van Hattum said.

Van Hattum also said the close ties Football Federation Australia had maintained with both New Zealand Football and the Oceania Football Confederation, meant New Zealand was a natural ally.

“Our two associations continue to have a close relationship at all levels of the game. Australia also contributes to the social development of the Pacific region through football,” said Football Federation Australia CEO, Ben Buckley.

Australia as a host nation would provide an opportunity for the Oceania Football Confederation to be part of, and benefit from, the FIFA World Cup™ on the doorstep to Oceania.

As part of their FIFA World Cup™ preparations the Qantas Socceroos played the New Zealand All Whites at the MCG on 24 May 2010. Both teams will be competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.

Don’t forget to show your support for Australia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 or 2022, add your name at www.australia2018-2022.com.au