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.

New Zealand v Italy today

Unbelievably New Zealand managed to pick up their second consecutive World Cup point, against the reigning champions no less!

Gold Coast United striker Shane Smeltz coolly slotted the ball past Italy's Federico Marchetti after seven minutes.  Was he offside?  Possibly.  The White Noise certainly won't care and I'm not sure that I particularly care either.  Stories like this are what World Cups are all about and it's heartening to see an underdog getting a break for a change.

Smeltzy is an interesting character.  Born in Germany in 1981, he started his football career in 1999 turning out for various Australian clubs before heading across the world in an attempt become a success in England.  He initially joined Mansfield Town (then playing in League Two) making just five appearances before signing for AFC Wimbledon (then in the Isthmian League Premier Division) and scoring 26 goals from 46 run outs.  The following season (2006/07) saw him stepping up to Conference National level with Halifax Town FC.  Wellington Phoenix tempted him back to the A-League a year later and it was there that he stayed for the next two seasons chalking up a total of 21 goals from 39 appearances.  His next club, Gold Coast United is where he's enjoyed his best form so far.  Last season he appeared 25 times and bagged an incredible 19 goals. 

I'd imagine none of those 19 goals will taste quite as sweet or indeed be quite as meaningful as the one he scored today.  Pretty good for a guy lining up against Braintree Town a mere 4 years ago!

White Noise

Following on from my chat with Craig Ireson in the previous post, I have collated the additional information sent to me by Oska from the Yellow Fever forum.  Same questions as before, with equally interesting answers.

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Do you think you are better or worse off not playing Australia to qualify? I guess it's a trade off between certain qualification and poorer tournament preparation by playing poorer opposition? 

Without Australia around, the weakest confederation has been weakened significantly, and despite the almost direct qualification for international youth and women's tournaments (including the Olympics) most football fans in NZ agree that a reorganisation of the Asian and Oceanian confederations is pretty key for the progression of Oceanian football. If New Zealand football teams were able to get the amount of competition Australia are now getting, we could shoot up the football world in terms of competitiveness.

Do you agree with having to be involved in a play-off after winning your regions qualification?

The play-off system that is currently applied to Oceanian nations is a bit ridiculous really. Only one tough game (Bahrain) to qualify for a World Cup isn't really sufficient at all, and people definately have the right to say we don't deserve to be there. However, until FIFA step up and tackle the confederation issue, it's a pretty tough logistical problem. An initial step could be that the winner of the Oceanian World Cup Qualifying enters the final Asian group stage.

Has the shine been taken away from the OFC Nations Cup as only NZL and AUS have won it (4 each)?

In my lifetime the OFC Nations Cup has barely flickered on the radar, I'm unsure how much it means to Island teams, but it's usually been combined with World Cup qualifying and been a pretty straightforward battle between two teams, so not very significant. Now that Australia won't be competing for it, it won't mean a thing. There is a tournament for just Island nations I think, which is far more signfiicant.

What was the reaction like when you got your 1^st ever WC point?

It was incredible really, over 750000 people watched the game and there has been a media frenzy. It has been the topic of chocie throughout all sorts of people and one of the most significant displays of excitement is a spray painted image of Reid on the Ian Curtis wall in Wellington, alongside the words "REID U LEGEND".

Do New Zealand home games generate a good atmosphere?

New Zealand football games generate a brilliant atmosphere, particularly in Wellington.  Football is fast becoming famous in New Zealand for it's atmosphere in comparison to the relatively dull atmospheres at rugby and cricket.  In 2007, Vanuatu played the All Whites at Westpac stadium and about 2500 people turned up to watch us win 4-1, but the noise created in the massive, round stadium was impressive, with the fans (White Noise) switching ends at half time so the boys could keep playing toward them. 2 years later, 35000 turned up at the same venue to cheer the win over Bahrain, and the atmosphere was unlike anything I know of in New Zealand sport, ever.

What's the atmosphere like at Wellington Phoenix games, presumably you wont get many away fans?

Wellington Phoenix fans, in particular the Yellow Fever (Of which I am a part), are one of the best in the A-League at generating atmosphere, and it's been 19 games since we last lost a game at the Ring of Fire (as the Westpac is affectionately known). We stand and sing for the whole game, and have a couple of special traditions, singing on the concourse as we exit (after clapping off the Phoenix) and, rather infamously, removing our shirts and baring our chests if we are winning after 80 minutes, often against bitter Wellington weather.

Away fans are pretty few, although Melbourne Victory and Sydney have both sent over groups large enough for games against Yellow Fever XIs, not enough to make significant noise against the Fever, however travelling Phoenix fans often make an impact at less vocal grounds in Australia, and a massive group went to Sydney for our semi final there earlier this year, and made a terrific amount of noise up against the fantastic Sydney fans (known as the Cove).

What was national expectation before the tournament?

Before the World Cup, national expectation was basically, be credible, don't get beaten badly by anyone and if we get a point, be very happy with it. Being young and deluded I have believed, since before the Bahrain match, that we can get the rub of the green and be one of those massive sporting stories, and get to the quarter finals.  I still think we can beat Italy.

With so many players plying their trade abroad do you get to see as many friendlies at home as you would like?

We get no where near enough friendlies at all, let alone ones at home. To put something that resembles a top Kiwi side out in games against decent opposition within FIFA windows is extremely difficult, largely due to NZF being pretty unsuccesful when trying to organise such games, and players (both for us and whoever we play) not being willing to travel as far as New Zealand.

Who are you tipping to win the world cup?

At this stage, Argentina look most likely to me, however Portuguese connections means I'll support them.

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Winner Stays On - Round 2 (still New Zealand!)

As New Zealand managed to earn their first ever (much deserved) world cup point against Slovakia I get the pleasure of continuing my run as an honorary Kiwi into the 2nd batch of group games.

Prior to the first match I stated that I’d been unable to find any obvious home for New Zealand football fans on the internet. Clearly I just didn’t look hard enough. After concentrating my search around Wellington Phoenix, I stumbled upon the Yellow Fever/White Noise forum. This is quite simply a fantastic site featuring a forum stacked with dedicated and knowledgeable New Zealand football fans.

I was able to get some info from two posters, Oska and a fellow blogger Craig (who posts as Salmon07 on the forum) who kindly answered some questions for me and filled in some blanks on their national team and the football scene in New Zealand.

I’m going to post Oska’s stuff up later as he gave me some fantastic information on Wellington and New Zealand Football along with some great links to YouTube clips, however, Craig’s answers were so comprehensive I’ve pretty much included them verbatim below.

Craig’s answers are in yellow.

 

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Do you think you are better or worse off not playing Australia in qualifying? I guess it's a trade off between certain qualification and poorer tournament preparation by playing poorer opposition?

It's hard to say. But I'm certainly loving the opportunity it has presented us with. Any other nation would have taken it with both hands if they had the chance. But I think it's wrong to just write off Oceania. I can see why Australia did what they did. Historically and socially however New Zealand is closer to the Pacific nations than Australia. Our native language, Maori, is close to so many Island languages, we are generous with aid and development programmes, and many Pacific Islanders settle in New Zealand.

A better way of thinking about it is rather than jettisoning a confederation because it's not meeting your needs, why not try and develop the level of competition in your own confederation?

I think it is naive to totally discount the potential of Oceania anyway. New Zealand lost 4-2 to Vanuatu eliminating us from qualification for the 2004 World Cup and New Zealand lost 2-0 to Fiji in the last group game of qualification for 2010. To go to those Islands and play those teams in the stifling heat, on hard pitches with their physical and intimidating style wouldn't be as easy as it seems. I'd like to see some of the EPL millionaires try it!

The game in Oceania is coming along very quickly-It will surprise many to know that A New Caledonia club side, Hekari Utd, won the OFC Champions League and will represent Oceania at the next Club World Cup. That experience will do wonders for the game in New Caledonia. (On the subject of the Club World Cup, despite the fact that they are not my team Auckland City had a strong showing last year; beating the hosts Al Ahli, and the African Champs TP Mazembe of Congo, a stunning achievement for a semi-pro club)

But yes, I wouldn't be against a slightly different approach to WC qualifying for Oceania. Maybe the Oceania winners could join an Asian qualifying group in the fourth round, and the top three go through? I don't know

Do you agree with having to be involved in a play-off after winning your regions qualification?

Yes, that helped galvanise support and gave people a sense of the momentousness of the occasion. It started the momentum of knock out football which has shown in the way that the All Whites are competitive for 90 minutes, in a way which we never used to be.

The play off win was one of the greatest games of football on New Zealand soil. The All Whites won many fans that night.

Has the shine been taken away from the OFC Nations Cup as only NZL and AUS have won it (4 each)?

It's certainly not a competition which gets too much of a following, in fact winning it is seen as just another step towards qualifying for the Fifa World Cup, which is the mean prize. It's not like New Zealand goes around with four stars above its crest every time it plays an Oceania game. But it is also a ticket to the Confederation's Cup, and given how little New Zealand plays in big tournaments, the more experience we can have playing at them the better.

New Zealand played quite poorly at the last Confederation's Cup, well below their potential. However we did give a second string Italy a shock, scoring 3 goals against them- no matter what anyone says about the strength of that team there are not many nations who put four past Italy! And of course we picked up our first ever Fifa tournament point there with a 0-0 draw against Iraq. The wild celebrations from the New Zealand bench were seen by some as being crass, but Ricki Herbert knew what that point meant, especially in the context of building towards South Africa 2010.

What was the reaction like when you got your 1st ever WC point?

Well, I can't speak for the rest of New Zealand but it has really seemed to grab people's imaginations. We’re currently equal on points with the World Champions! We are such a sporting nation and we love success. As for me I was watching at home with some friends. I was actually kind of dozing off as the game wound down, and was thinking, "oh well, a well fought battle and an honourable defeat" and then Smeltzy crossed in that great ball and in a flash Reid was up and it was in. With only a minute to go I knew that was it. I jumped up and was kind of crying with out tears, rolling on the floor- I took my shirt off. There was something about knowing how much it meant to New Zealand, to football, how important that result was- Here we are on the world stage at last. The looks on the faces of the Slovakia players told you everything about how important that goal was. I had to have some Rescue Remedy to calm down to get to sleep, and I was a wreck at work the next day, but I never stopped smiling all day. Joy.

What was national expectation before the tournament?

It differs from fan to fan. Most people are realistic, or even slightly pessimistic. There was a great upsurge in interest in non football fans and I think some long term fans were afraid that we'd get humiliated and then all the Rugger fans would enjoy the schadenfreude. But we know now that this team has got enough heart and soul to stay in touch in the next two games. I think generally most pundits were saying one point and one goal, well, we have that now, what’s the next step? I personally think we could sneak a draw Italy its Paraguay I'm worried about!

Do New Zealand home games generate a good atmosphere?

Generally, yes. Even more so now that the Yellow Fever fan site is up and running. It's a great forum to coordinate pre match meet ups, chants and songs, and props etc (no blow up sheep though please). It is a different type of crowd from your average rugby crowd, and that's what gets people excited, they can't believe that people sing whole songs! However there is a slightly annoying parochialism in NZ football about where the home is; Auckland or Wellington, frankly I find it rather tiresome. It means that some prematch discussion can descend into baiting between the different sets of fans- it’s not a large number, but its noticeable. True fans will travel anywhere in the country, and beyond, to see their team.

Is New Zealand football growing in popularity and gaining fans from sports like Rugby League, Union and Cricket?

I would say yes. Junior numbers are on the rise, Women's football is taking off. In Wellington there are not enough parks for all the teams. In saying that most New Zealanders are sport lovers full stop, and will follow the rugby, league, netball, football, any sport if it's got a silver fern on it.

I think some administrators of other codes are worried, but why should they be? Competition's is good, it makes you lift your game and examine the product. Some people might baulk at the use of that word, 'product', but realistically that's what elite sport is- it's a product which should entertain you- why bother parting with your cash if it doesn't. Critics of rugby have been saying for a while that it doesn't entertain. Football is filling that vacuum for many Kiwi sports fans. It was just announced today the Phoenix season memberships are selling at 200 a day, that is unheard of.

What’s the atmosphere like at Wellington Phoenix games, presumably you won't get many away fans?

It’s great. The Westpac Stadium, or the 'Ring of Fire', is essentially a cauldron and the noise just echoes right round. The Yellow Fever take up a few blocks in the South end and chant away like mad, and take their shirts off if the 'Nix are winning at the 80th minute. They say that the Westpac Stadium is an egalitarian ground, designed so that no seat is that much better than any other, and so you do feel close to the action (despite it being designed more for Rugby. We don't get many away fans but they usually make contact through the forum and come along to the pub before hand. There's no real animosity- its not the Kiwi way.

With so many players plying their trade abroad do you get to see as many friendlies at home as you would like?

Yes, but its not going to happen-unless we can lure the like of Ryan Nelsen back to New Zealand to play for the Phoenix. I was just thinking before the World Cup that before last year I had seen New Zealand play maybe a dozen times, now in the space of a year I have seen them play double that.

Who are you tipping to win the entire tournament?

Before the World Cup I would have said Spain or Brazil now having seen them play I am not so sure, although you'd never write off Brazil For that very same reason I am picking Germany who did a stellar job in dismantling our old chums region Australia.

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Thanks very much to the guys for the info.  I'll do my best to get the additional content from Oska up prior to the next game.  I wish the All Whites fans the best of luck for forthcoming match against Italy and I'll be keeping an eye on the Phoenix from now on.

To borrow a tired old cliché, the form book really does seem to have been thrown out the window so far in this tournament. I’m wondering if New Zealand might even sneak another point on Sunday? I certainly hope so, either way I’ll be supporting the All Whites for as long as they stick around in South Africa, you could say they’ve won me over.

Winner Stays On - Round 1 (New Zealand)

Having randomly selected New Zealand as my first adopted team to support in the World Cup I'll be keeping a close eye (well, as close as I can whilst at work) on their first game against Slovakia tomorrow in Rustenburg.

With Scotland absent from the finals once again my plan is to take adopt 'winner stays on' approach to who I support so there is every chance that I will be an honorary Slovakian by 3pm tomorrow afternoon.  In fact there's an overwhelming chance.  Slovakia whilst hardly a footballing super power are the clear favourites ahead of the tie. William Hill currently offers odds of 1/2 for Slovakia whilst you'll get the more generous 13/2 for backing New Zealand.  

New Zealand's only previous world cup appearance came in 1982, a tournament which saw them lose all three of their group games by at least three goals.  Even Scotland managed to put them to the sword during a five goals romp in a sun drenched Malaga (Dalglish, Wark (2), Robertson, Archibald) although we did concede two (Sumner and Wooddin if you're interested).

In order to fully prepare for my first (and possibly last) 90 minutes supporting the All Whites I have attempted to piece together some facts on football in the land of the long white cloud.

• New Zealand traditionally battled it out with Australia for top honours in the Oceania Football Confederation, however, since Austrailia have left to play in the Asian Football Confederation New Zealand remain as the only seeded team in the OFC.
• New Zealand has a semi professional domestic league called the New Zealand Football Championship which was created in 2004.  Their only full time professional club, Wellington Phoenix, play in the Australasian A-League.
• New Zealand play their home games at either North Harbour Stadium in Auckland or Westpac Stadium in Wellington.  Both stadiums are used mainly for Rugby League or Union although Wellington Phoenix use the Westpac for their A-League matches.
• Football struggles for popular support in New Zealand with most Kiwis preferring Rugby League, Rugby Union and Cricket.
• Former Scotland international, Bobby Clark has played a significant role in the football development of New Zealand.  After his stint manaing the All Whites from 1994-96 he took a job as head coach at Stanford University.  He began recruiting Kiwi players and continued this trend upon taking another coaching role at Notre Dame.  Nowadays about 25 New Zealanders are playing for NCAA Division 1 programs in the USA.

That is pretty much all I could come up with.  I was hoping to find a supporters club (along the lines of Australia's Fanatics) but I couldn't find any such group.  If my New Zealand supporting spell continues for more than one game I will endavour to contact some Wellington fans and get their  insight.

In qualifying for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, New Zealand topped their OFC group also containing New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu.  New Zealand won five out of six games in this group with one loss against Fiji.  Upon topping the group the Kiwis then had to defeat Bahrain in a play off in order to book their place at the top table in South Africa.  The first leg was played away in the Bahrain National Stadium in front of 37,000 fans and finished goalless, New Zealand won the return leg 1-0 by virtue of a Rory Fallon goal in a match played at The Westpac in Wellington in front of a record crowd of 36,500 supporters.  

Whether this signalled a turning point in New Zealand football's popularity is unclear, the NZFA will certainly be hoping so and also that the New Zealand national team manages to maintain it's impressive improvment in South Africa.

Future content and the small matter of the world cup...

Just a quick post to let you know about some ideas in the pipeline.

I thought it would be good to develop an interviews section to the site and as such I've made contact with some people who I think could be the focus of some cracking articles.

First up is Craig Graham.  Craig is the chairman of Edinburgh based Spartans FC whose senior team play in the East of Scotland Premier Division.  For those who don't know Spartans are a fascinating little club based in North Edinburgh who hold charitable status and are widely regarded as THE model for community sport in Scotland.  I've sent Craig some questions so hopefully I'll get his answers up on the blog soon along with some photos and a feature on the club itself.

Additionally the kind chaps at Barmy Flags have agreed to have a chat with me.  Barmy Flags made a massive Scotland flag for my good friend Graham and I about a year and a half ago which is our pride and joy (the flag is actually owned by Graham but I like to think of myself as part owner).  I've always had a borderline obsession with football flags and ultras style banners to the extent that I cold quite happily scroll through their gallery for hours on end, much to my wife's dismay.  I thought it would be a good to write a piece about them and thankfully their main man Charlie has agreed to give me some input.

I'm also trying to make contact with some fans at Corby Town FC from Northamptonshire.  They have a small but very dedicated band of supporters who prove that playing at lower level does not make the club and it's fortunes any less meaningful to those who love it most.  I used to live near Corby as a kid and whilst the town could be described as fairly bleak with it's share of social problem I felt an affinity with the place due to the strong Corby Scots connection....but more on that when I write the article.

With regard to the World Cup I'm considering starting with possibly the weakest team in the tournament, New Zealand, and adopting a reigning champion (think boxing) approach to who I support.  For example if and when New Zealand get beat I follow their victors thus ensuring I always have a team to support throughout the tournament.  It's hardly a revolutionary idea I know, but it should provide me with a steady stream of material throughout the tournament.  I do also run the risk of having to 'support' England but it's a risk I'm willing to take if that's the trade off for producing quality amateur journalism!

Right, anyone know where I can get a New Zealand footiie shirt and some Speight's beer?

More soon.