New Zealand football people have grown accustomed to the adage that good things come to those who wait. Marooned as the powerhouse of Oceania since Australia left for Asia in 2006, but the OFC without a guaranteed World Cup place until now, nothing has come quickly or easily.
World Cup qualification first came in 1982 at the fourth attempt. Arriving in Spain after an arduous joint-AFC/OFC process, they were unable to register a point. But goals to Steve Sumner & Stephen Wooddin in the 5-2 loss to Scotland provided memories to hold onto through the long wait until their next appearance in 2010.
South Africa saw the All Whites defy expectations to secure three draws, and trivia status as the tournament’s only undefeated side; even winners Spain lost their first game, to Switzerland. New Zealand football had come a long way, home to a professional club in Wellington Phoenix and exporting the likes of Ryan Nelsen and Winston Reid to England’s Premier League.
Now set to end another sixteen-year drought next month, good things have gradually come once again. Auckland FC are A-League Men’s Champions, the Phoenix’s women ALW runners’ up. Drawn to play Iran, Egypt and Belgium, Sky Sports NZ’s Jason Pine believes Darren Bazeley has access to the nation’s best ever squad.
‘Yep, it is our best, and what we hope is that every squad from now on will be [even better]. We’ve got players playing at really good levels around the world and continuing to be signed by good clubs around the world,’ Pine told Box2Box.
‘If you compare this squad to the 2010 team, it’s night and day difference in terms of the players. We still had a couple of amateur players; one of them worked at the New Zealand Stock Exchange (Andrew Barron), and there he was off to a World Cup, as recently as 2010!’
‘Obviously, now we’re all fully professional, but it’s also the type of player. Chris Wood, Premier League player, our most important player. Then there are those in the Championship: Marco Stamenic, Max Crocombe, Tyler Bindon, Alex Paulson, and also a couple of really highly credentialed defenders in the MLS.’
Wood and Tommy Smith – junior squad members in South Africa – are now 34 and 36 years old, and can become New Zealand’s first male players to feature at two World Cups. Wood remains near his apex at Nottingham Forest; Smith, however, is with lowly English club Braintree Town, and his selection has caused consternation.
‘It’s been pretty polarising over here. Braintree Town were fifth tier, and got relegated! I think everybody knows he’s not there on footballing merit… if picking the best five centre-backs available to New Zealand, he’s not one of them,’ said Pine.
‘But all things being equal, 16-17 of that 26 man squad might play. So, what do you want from those last ten? Who’s going to drive the standards? The last thing you want is a guy to drop the lip because he’s not being picked, or withdraw from the group.
‘Smith will drive the standards in that team. I think in a 26-man squad, there is a place for a culture captain.’
So, what to expect? Goals would be the minimum expectation, while a breakthrough win would elevate this group to legendary sporting status in New Zealand. FIFA’s expanded World Cup offers third-placed finishers a look at the knockout rounds, which wouldn’t be a total shock after their 2010 showing. They warm up with friendlies against Haiti and England next week before their first match against Iran.
‘Back in 2010, a lot of guys would have thought ‘man, we’re playing England, I’ll be able to get this guy’s shirt or autograph.’ They’re now going out there because it’s their job to win football matches, so they’re not just happy to be on the same pitch anymore.
‘Is this the best team we’ve ever had? Yes, it is, but we’re about to find out exactly where they sit. FIFA rankings are one thing, but the World Cup is a funny old beast, isn’t it?’