Winners Stays On - Now what?

I haven't managed to write on the blog of late.  Whilst there's been a plethora of potential material I've just been rushed off my feet, barely having a chance to draw breath let alone sit down with the laptop.  

Why must irritations like work insist on continuing during something so monumentally important as a World Cup?

To bring things up to speed, I didn't really plan for this but my 'fool proof' winner stays on plan seems to be scuppered.  New Zealand, despite going out at the group stage (or doing a Scotland as it's widely known) managed to remain unbeaten.  I suppose technically speaking I could adopt Paraguay as my next team, given that they topped New Zealand's group, however, I almost feel that to do so would be disrespectful to the plucky and courageous All Whites.  With every World Cup there is always an unfancied team who really show a wonderful sense of team spirit, manage to punch above their weight and achieve some fantastic results.  Without a doubt, in South Africa 2010, New Zealand have been that team.

Prior to New Zealand's final game against Paraguay I once again made contact with Edinburgh's favourite All White Craig Ireson (many Hibs or Celtic fans may disagree with my choice of recipient for this accolade, preferring a certain Chris Killen but it's my blog so I'm bestowing the title upon Craig).  Craig took the time to share his reaction to the Italy game and look forward to the Paraguay match.  I appreciate its coming after the event but it still makes for a good read.

Rather than break it up I decided to just publish Craig's email as once again he's summarised what the team's achievement(s) meant to an All Whites fan far more passionately than I could have hoped to.

Over to Craig..

Firstly, it was quite a surreal experience the game was on at 2am on a Monday morning here. I'd had a busy weekend, I'd actually played two games off football myslef so was quite knackered, I slept through my alarm, missed all the pre match build up, so I joined the game in the second minute and was happy to still see a 0 next to Italy! When Smeltz scored it was unbelievable. The look on his face was like he'd just won the lottery! I took a picture of the score to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Then I thought, here we go, here come Italy, we've had our time in the sun. Sure enough they got the penalty and levelled it. It did seem as though the referee was unfairly targetting us. Some of the fouls we did were no worse than what they were doing. Do you think there is a conspiracy by Fifa to pander to the bigger nations, I mean what would it do for their tv ratings if NZ ualified ahead of Italy?

Russ: For what its worth yes I do.  I also think there's been a concerted effort to ensure certain teams (and  their star players) actually qualified for this world cup.  The most obvious example being FIFA introducing a seeding system for the play offs at the last minute, possibly to ease certain teams passage to South Africa.

Anyway I kept watching and waiting for the Italy winner to come, already composing my reaction in my head to make myself feel better. But Paston (the keeper) was amazing, and I felt the boys never panicked, did you notice how often Bertos looked to run at them, and then the teenager Woods made a fool of Cannavaro and almost won it. By the time Paston pulled off his 100th save, or whatever, in the 87th Minute I finally stated to believe that we could actually hold on. I kept touching this painting we've got with a wooden frame anytime the commentator would say something that might jinx us, like about us holding on for the win. After I knocked it a few times it fell on me and I just clutched it to my chest like a totem of luck. I imagine a few million new zealanders were doing the same. At the final whistle I was in tears, my dad rang me from Rotorua, he is very much a Rugby League man but he'd stayed up, my sister also texted me. It was an amazing feeling, to feel like I was there and a part of it somehow. It was all over the morning news. You have to remember this is not a footballing nation (yet), One of the news reporters called them our 1stXV (most people are actually quite ignorant, but are keen enough to learn). There are some who don't actually get the significance, after all its a draw, not actually a win. But football is one of the only sports where a draw does mean something, and when its against the World Champions in a must win world cup match, well, thats something special. The main thing for me is that I don't actually think we'll progress, but look out world Cup 2014 & beyond.  The bulk of this All Whites Squad is still in diapers compared to most squads.

One of my favourite parts of this tournament, from a personal point of view, has been discovering the Wellington Phoenix forum and chatting to awesome people like Craig.

For me that it what this amazing game is about as much as anything else.  

To all the All Whites I've spoken to of late, guys, it's been an absolute pleasure visiting your forum, hearing your chat and discovering what a knowledgeable and dedicated bunch of football followers you are.  Good luck for the future. 

You can check out Craig's own blog here.