New Zealand is now the remaining Oceanian team which have been able to play in the world cup finals after Australia decided to switch confederation to AFC. Ideally, it should ease the competition for sealing one place in the final round. Unfortunately, it does not work that way since there is no direct path to the main stage and have to go through a play-off stage.
Overall World Cup Campaign
New Zealand have managed to qualify to the world cup final round twice, plus reached three times inter-continental play-off. Their first appearance was in Spain 1982. All Whites earned one spot in the tournament to accompany Kuwait after edging out China in the final stage of AFC/OCF qualifiers. They were grouped with Brazil, Scotland and USSR and as expected they suffered three losses and only scored two goals. Their second campaign took place in 2010 after knocking out Bahrain in the playoffs. In South Africa, Chris Woods and Co were seeded with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia. Surprisingly, their second campaign was much better despite still failing to progress. All Whites went unbeaten in all three games by holding Slovakia and the reigning champion Italy in a 1-1 draw and sharing spoils with Tata Martino’s Paraguay in a goalless tie. They even managed to finish on the third toppling Italy in the final standings.
Meanwhile, on three occasions, 1970, 2014 and 2018, New Zealand’s hope to play at the group stage was halted at the playoffs. At World Cup 1970 play off stage, Israel dismantled them 6-0 on aggregate. The next one, in 2014 one, they even slumped to a 3-9 defeat on aggregate against Mexico, whereas in 2018 one, All Whites lost to Peru 0-2 on aggregate.
New Zealand’s Iconic Moments in the World Cup
New Zealand’s iconic moment was definitely on matchday two in South Africa 2010. Ricki Herbert’s side held Gli Azzurri in a 1-1 draw. Shane Smeltz was able to stun Marcelo Lippi’s side before Vincenzo Iaquinta’s penalty cancelled out their prospective three points. Another notable moment was when they could snatch their first point in the world cup at the opener of 2010 edition versus Slovakia. All Whites found the equalizer through Winston Reid’s late goal to reply Robert Vittek’s goal.
Top Players & Managers
New Zealand’s key men in their improving World Cup campaign are Ricki Herbert who took charge of the team, the skipper Ryan Nelsen, Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon, Winston Reid and Chris Woods. They were all apart of the 2010 squad.
