New Zealand are better known for their rugby union, rugby league and cricket exploits than they are for their football team. They will be traveling to South Africa as the biggest of underdogs. They benefited from Australia’s move to the Asian Football Confederation as they were able to get through their non-competitive group in Oceania with ease before having to participate in a playoff.
Their World Cup history, like their FIFA tournament history is far from being glorious. Prior to this competition, they have previously only been involved in one World Cup back in 1982. It was not a pleasant experience as they were lost all three matches heavily. Brazil were the first to give them a footballing lesson, beating them 4-0. This was followed by a 3-0 defeat to the USSR and a 5-2 loss to Scotland. New Zealand have also taken part in three Confederations Cups as winners of their continental competition. They have lost eight of their nine games in that competition, with a 0-0 draw against Iraq their only point in twelve matches of FIFA competition.
They qualified by first winning their Oceania Football Confederation group after beating a sequence of less than stellar opposition. Many of the world’s poorest football sides reside here as witnessed by Fiji’s 16-0 win over Tuvalu and powerhouse Vanuatu’s 15-0 triumph over American Samoa. New Zealand had a bye to the final group stage where they easily won their group despite losing to Fiji. They were then draw against Bahrain in a two legged playoff for the right to travel to the World Cup. New Zealand won the tie 1-0 over two tense and low quality matches.
Judging by their recent Confederations Cup exploits where they were beaten 5-0 by Spain after being three goals down within minutes, it is hard to see how New Zealand can make any sort of impression. The group they are in contains Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay and it is difficult to see New Zealand qualifying from it. Most of their players ply their trade in local leagues with one or two managing to get games for third division English teams. While they will provide plenty of spirit and endeavor, it is unlikely that they will be able to mark their 2010 World Cup with a win.