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World-New Zealand bid to make their point
AUCKLAND, May 20 (Reuters) - New Zealand have been preaching one simple message about the World Cup -- they are not going just to make up the numbers in Group F against champions Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay.
Securing their first point from a World Cup finals match would be a major boost for the team and the sport in rugby-mad New Zealand, though coach Ricki Herbert has indicated that may not be enough.
"There are a lot of aspirations," Herbert told Reuters. "The team is very much about creating history.
"Our intentions are very clear: to win football matches in group play. That will have some pretty big challenges, but we are a pretty ambitious team and I think we need to be."
When appointed to the job in 2005, Herbert realised that one of the scattered team's major problems had been the lack of time spent together. The majority of the overseas-based players also see little game time, or play in lower leagues.
So Herbert embarked on a long-term plan to build a core squad of players and tried to play them as many times as possible.
The plan seems to have worked.
While four years ago games against fellow Oceania nations could be a struggle, the All Whites gave Italy a fright in a friendly last year before losing 4-3 and they were beaten 2-0 by Mexico in March.
Herbert was ecstatic after the Mexico game, particularly with the way new additions such as defender Tommy Smith had settled into the team.
Smith, along with striker Rory Fallon and midfielder Michael McGlinchey, are beneficiaries of the change in FIFA rules on players being able to switch nationality even though they had played for another country at youth level.
Danish youth international Winston Reid, who like Fallon and McGlinchey was born in New Zealand, was also added to the squad when it was finalised on May 10.
While the World Cup is undoubtedly the short-term focus, the future direction of the sport is the biggest question facing New Zealand Football.
The All Whites had little trouble in winning the four-team final phase in Oceania with a game to spare and qualifying for the two-legged playoff against fifth-placed Asian side Bahrain.
In effect, they had to play just two games, against a match-hardened side, and calls are growing for FIFA to take another look at the qualification process.
The most pragmatic resolution could see the Oceania champions joining the final Asian qualifying phase, though it has also been suggested that New Zealand could follow Australia by leaving Oceania to join Asia permanently.
World-Factbox on New Zealand
AUCKLAND, May 20 (Reuters) - Factbox on New Zealand who are competing in Group F at the World Cup in South Africa:
Colours: White shirts, shorts and socks with black trim.
Nickname: All Whites
Previous World Cup appearances: 1982
Best performance: group stage
Coach: Ricki Herbert
Most capped player: Ivan Vicelich 72
Top goalscorer: Vaughan Coveny 28
Talking points:
Herbert embarked on a four-year strategy to build a strong core of a squad to qualify for the tournament. He took advantage of the relaxation of FIFA regulations on players who had appeared at youth level for one country being able to switch nationality to scour the globe for anyone with New Zealand connections. Rory Fallon (England), Tommy Smith (England) and Michael McGlinchey (Scotland) have played for the All Whites after previously playing age-grade internationals. Winston Reid was added on May 10 having played for Denmark at youth level.
Player to watch:
Teenage striker Chris Wood is tipped to make a name for himself in South Africa. Tall, strongly built and pacy with a light and sure touch he has been used mostly off the bench but could force his way into the starting side.
World-Penpix of New Zealand squad
AUCKLAND, June 4 (Reuters) - Penpix of New Zealand's 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa:
23-James Bannatyne (Team Wellington). Goalkeeper. Born June 30 1975. Caps 5.
Has made sporadic appearances since making his debut in 2001. Regarded as back-up to Moss and Paston. Known for his goals from free kicks and has scored three at club level. Is a semi-professional and works as a sales manager.
12-Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory). Goalkeeper. Born Jan. 19 1983. Caps 16.
A spectacular shot stopper, he has been duelling with Paston for the starting position since 2006. Will miss the first two games against Slovakia and Italy as he is still suspended after being sent off against Fiji in a qualifier. May be short of match practice after slipping down pecking order at Melbourne.
1-Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix). Goalkeeper. Born Dec. 13 1976. Caps 24.
Succeeded Moss as the number one but watched from the bench at the 2009 Confederations Cup before he took over again for the Asia/Oceania qualifiers against Bahrain when his penalty save in the second leg ensured New Zealand advanced. Had surgery on a broken leg and underwent three months of rehabilitation.
18-Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls). Defender. Born Sept. 9 1983. Caps 16. Goals 0.
Had a successful collegiate career with the University of New Mexico before being drafted by the expansion Toronto FC. The tall central defender is a valuable squad member who anchors the defence, often as a replacement for Nelsen, Vicilech or Sigmund.
3-Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix). Defender. Born Jan. 12 1982. Caps 31. Goals 0.
Played for the New England Revolution and had a trial for Middlesbrough in 2008 before settling in at the Phoenix. Used as a wingback by Herbert in recent games.
6-Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers). Defender. Born Oct. 18 1977. Caps 42. Goals 9.
Considered New Zealand's best player since Wynton Rufer. Achieved a political science degree from Stanford University in the U.S. before playing four seasons with DC United in Major League Soccer. Transferred to Blackburn Rovers in 2005.
Good in the air, strong in the tackle and has a keen sense of anticipation. Named New Zealand Football's player of the year. Has said he would fly home if his wife, due to give birth on July 10, goes into labour early.
4-Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland). Defender. Born July 3 1988. Caps 1.
Born in Auckland, he moved to Denmark with his New Zealand mother and Danish stepfather as a child. Played in the Danish development system and for their under-21 team. Turned down a chance to play for New Zealand in 2007 before being approached again by Herbert to switch allegiance. Primarily a central defender but can play right fullback.
2-Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix). Defender. Born Feb. 3 1981. Caps 13. Goals 1.
Tough, uncompromising and no-nonsense player. Made his debut in 2000 before spending seven years in the international wilderness. Lacks pace but has proved a pillar of strength in the run-up to the World Cup.
19-Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town). Defender. Born March 31 1990. Caps 2.
Born in England, his family emigrated to New Zealand when he was eight. Was spotted by a scout while playing for a school team and returned to England with Ipswich on a scholarship. Played for the England under-17 side, though agreed to play for New Zealand after FIFA changed eligibility rules. The left-sided central defender made his debut against Mexico in March, 48 hours after he received FIFA clearance.
5-Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City). Defender. Born Sept. 3 1976. Caps 72. Goals 7.
Coaxed out of international retirement by Herbert to replace an injured Nelsen at the 2009 Confederations Cup, where he played every minute. New Zealand's most capped player. Played for Roda JC in the Dutch championship. Lacks the pace of his youth but is a steadying influence on the defence.
13-Andy Barron (Team Wellington). Midfielder. Born Dec. 24 1980. Caps 14. Goals 1.
A workaholic midfielder, Barron is likely to be one of the few players at the World Cup who is an amateur and has a full-time job, working as an investment advisor in a bank. Often used as a substitute for Elliott or Brown.
11-Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix). Midfielder. Born Dec. 20 1981. Caps 32. Goals 0.
A fast and skilful attacking midfielder, Bertos bounced around the lower leagues of England before returning to play in the A-League, ending up with his home-town Phoenix in 2008. Played as wingback in the Asia/Oceania playoff matches and tracked back to defend admirably but is better going forward and providing crosses for his forwards.
22-Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets). Midfielder. Born Oct. 7 1987. Caps 18. Goals 0.
Suffered a miserable start to the year, with surgery to repair a shattered fibula before he left the cash-strapped North Queensland Fury. The pacy attacking midfielder is still tentative on his feet but has been training at a pre-World Cup camp and is almost certain to go to South Africa if he is fit.
8-Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix). Midfielder. Born March 6 1981. Caps 28. Goals 0.
Reliable and calm, Brown has stepped in to replace Nelsen as All Whites captain, most notably at the Confederations Cup in South Africa in 2009. A foundation member of the Wellington Phoenix, he has built a solid relationship with Herbert. Plays more like a holding midfielder and may be under pressure from McGlinchey for his starting place.
21-Jeremy Christie (Tampa Bay Rowdies) Midfielder. Born May 22 1983. Caps 22. Goals 1.
A no-nonsense central midfielder, he played in the A-League for a number of years before he was released by the Phoenix in 2009. Went to the Confederations Cup and moved from the amateur Waitakere United to the second-tier United States Division 2 league with Tampa Bay in January.
16-Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United). Midfielder. Born Jan. 15 1987. Caps 0.
The standout performer in the domestic league, the flame-haired attacking midfielder was the only uncapped player named in the pre-World Cup camp for Australasian-based players. A business administration graduate of the University of Louisville.
7-Simon Elliott (unattached). Midfielder. Born June 10 1974. Caps 61. Goals 8.
Vastly experienced, having spent most of his professional career in the U.S., though a 2-1/2-year stint at Fulham was curtailed by a serious calf injury. Recently released by the San Jose Earthquakes. Primarily a defensive midfielder he forms a tough backbone of the team with Nelsen.
15-Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners). Midfielder. Born Jan. 7 1987. Caps 4. Goals 0.
Born in Wellington but moved to Glasgow while a child then played one game for Celtic as an 18-year-old. Played for Scotland at age-group level before he realigned with the All Whites. Has been impressive in the midfield, offering a creativity that could make him a regular.
17-David Mulligan (unattached). Defender/ Midfielder. Born March 24 1982. Caps 18. Goals 2.
Principally an attack-minded right back, the Liverpool-born Mulligan can push into midfield, which may be his best chance of making the squad after he was released by the Phoenix at the end of the season. Started two games at the Confederations Cup.
14-Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle). Forward. Born March 20 1982. Caps 5. Goals 2.
Tall and strong, the son of former All Whites assistant coach Kevin, he moved to Britain to play professionally and represented England at junior level. Switched allegiance to New Zealand in 2009 after FIFA changed eligibility rules. His first-half header in the Asia/Oceania qualifier powered the team to the World Cup finals.
10-Chris Killen (Middlesbrough). Forward. Born Oct. 8 1981. Caps 36. Goals 17.
Signed for Scotland's Celtic on a three-year contract in 2007 but made limited appearances and was loaned to Norwich City. Left Celtic in January on a free transfer to Middlesbrough, linking with former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan. Tall, direct and confrontational, he combines well with Smeltz.
9-Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United). Forward. Born Sept. 29 1981. Caps 34. Goals 18.
Bounced around Australia's professional leagues and England's lower leagues before finding his feet with the Wellington Phoenix. Named Oceania's Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008, and won the A-League's Golden Boot in 2008/09 and 2009/10. Good instinct for goal, works hard and links well with the midfield.
20-Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion). Forward. Born Dec. 7 1991. Caps 7. Goals 0.
Burst on to the radar with a prolific scoring record for West Bromwich Albion's youth team which continued when he was promoted to the reserve side. Used primarily as a substitute in internationals so far, he has been tipped by Herbert to come of age at the World Cup. Tall, strong and broad, he has good pace and a light touch.
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury)
Trainer
Ricki Herbert
Goalkeeper
1 Mark Paston
12 Glen Moss
23 James Bannatyne
Defender
17 David Mulligan
6 Ryan Nelsen
3 Tony Lochhead
18 Andy Boyens
4 Winston Reid
2 Ben Sigmund
19 Tommy Smith
Midfielder
7 Simon Elliott
5 Ivan Vicelich
11 Leo Bertos
21 Jeremy Christie
8 Tim Brown
15 Michael McGlinchey
13 Andy Barron
16 Aaron Clapham
20 Chris Wood
Forward
10 Chris Killen
14 Rory Fallon
9 Shane Smeltz
22 Jeremy Brockie
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