Today, New Zealand will finally make their long-awaited FIFA World Cup comeback exactly 28 years to the day since a group of amateur players from the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ took their place alongside the globe’s elite.
Much has changed for the All Whites since that hot European summer nearly three decades ago, and not just the tight shorts and moustaches. Aside from a handful of players who compete in the New Zealand Football Championship, most of the current squad are professionals who ply their trade in Europe, the United States or Australia.
The vast majority of the current squad were also born in New Zealand, which contrasts sharply with ‘82, when a number of the squad were born in the United Kingdom.
Last time around, the Kiwis arguably found themselves in the tournament’s group of death, pitted against a very strong Scotland side, featuring the likes of Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish, a legendary Brazilian team, which included Zico, Socrates and Eder, and the Oleg Blohkin-led Soviet Union.
After their opening loss against Scotland, the part-timers fell 3-0 to the Soviets, before wrapping up their historic campaign with a 4-0 loss as Zico and co weaved their magic.
Fast forward to 2010 and the draw has been a little kinder to the Kiwis, though still presenting a massive challenge. Following the opener against Slovakia will be further outings against powerful South Americans Paraguay and world champions Italy.
The synergy between the two teams is significant, with current coach Ricki Herbert an ever-present in the ’82 side’s defence.
Herbert’s assistant in South Africa, Brian Turner, was also a key figure in the marathon qualifying campaign, which included a then-record 15 matches. Kevin Fallon, meanwhile, father of current striker Rory, was assistant to John Adshead in ’82.
Fallon Jnr scored the only goal of the two-legged play-off against Bahrain which sent New Zealand to this year’s tournament. His towering header in the final minute of the first-half and subsequent resolute performance over the remainder of the tie was, he explained later, inspired in part by the heroes of a previous generation.
“I saw the ‘82 team [being paraded around the ground] at the start of the warm-up [prior to the second-leg in Wellington] and I thought, ‘We need to be in this World Cup because these people are remembered for this long’,” he says. “I realised this was our greatest opportunity to do this and we could really do something good for the game and change things in New Zealand.
“The difference between the ’82 team and today’s is that they were amateurs – a lot of us are professionals. The ’82 team probably went into that World Cup hoping to enjoy it, do well and not get hammered. We are going in to win games. That’s the different mentality. A lot of our team are seasoned pros.”
Steve Sumner, skipper of the ’82 squad and scorer of the first goal against Scotland, believes the portents are promising for the current crop.
“I like what our guys are saying,” says Sumner, who was in South Africa last week to receive the FIFA Order of Merit for his contribution to the game both on and off the field.
“John Adshead set us the target of scoring goals. We knew we could defend OK. This time they’re talking of getting points, and I say go for it, pick up points, and even qualify for the second round.
“You’ve got to dream and believe as a player you can get something out of it. From our experience in 1982, I’d say go with confidence, back yourselves, and back your mates.”
Story and photo courtesy of www.fifa.com