To mark the occasion, New Zealand Football caught up with 1982 All Whites skipper Steve Sumner – currently in Brazil for the 2014 tournament – to reminisce on his memories of that first World Cup experience against Scotland in Spain.
How did you and the team get ready to meet the challenge of Scotland in Malaga?
We were one of the first teams to arrive in Spain and it was all about preparation for us being ready for that very first game against Scotland. We trained like the clappers to make sure no stone was unturned and that we were in the right frame of mind and that we were in the best condition of our lives. I know I was, and I’m absolutely sure that all the players were, so we had no excuses. It was a wonderful time.
Standing in the tunnel before going out on to the pitch, what was running through your mind?
We were looking at blokes opposite us who were household names in the UK and back in those days we only ever saw them on TV. So here were we, mainly a bunch of part time players, doing our absolute best, in the best condition of our lives, hoping that we could compete at that level.
For me it’s very similar to if someone’s run a bath for you and said it’s ready for you but you don’t know how hot it is until you put your toe in. And we didn’t, we were 3-0 down at halftime.
How did the second half unfold after facing that 3-0 deficit?
I know that Adsy [coach John Adshead] was a little disappointed. He said ‘you’re better than this and you deserve more, now have a go at them’. And we did. And within a fairly short space of time we’d clawed our way back to 3-2 and they were definitely looking at either saying ‘what’s this all about, this isn’t in the script’ and they were arguing with each other.
John Robertson scored a freekick, popped it in the top corner and it was seen as one of the best goals he’d ever scored. Then they got another one not long after from a corner when Steve Archibald, who was playing for Tottenham at the time, managed to get his head onto it and he regarded it as one of the best goals he’d ever scored. I guess it was because it was at the World Cup.
Our blokes did great. On the night they did amazingly well. The target set for us by John Adshead was, can we score goals at this level when we were ranked 24 out of 24 teams. And we got two that night.
How did it feel to become the first ever scorer for New Zealand at a World Cup?
At the time I felt that we were on the board and that was really all that mattered. It wasn’t about trying to claw back a draw or anything of that nature. It was about that we’d scored and it was a bit more respectable.
It doesn’t matter how big the crowd is, whether it’s 20,000 or 100,000, you know where your family are. As I ran back to the halfway line I glanced over my shoulder and I could see my father stood there with his arms aloft and he was the only one. And I know he was proud of his son that night.
When you look back now what are your thoughts on the game and the occasion?
It took me eight years to look at the tape of the game because I wanted more of myself. And yet when I did look at it eight years later, I thought I was hard on myself. But that’s what we were I think – we always asked more of ourselves.
On the night, I was directly opposite Graham Souness who was earning a damn good living at Liverpool and I was playing over this side of the world, I actually thought I did ok. I gave as good as I got.
What do you think has been legacy of the 1982 team’s appearance at the World Cup?
I told the 2010 team, believe in yourselves. Back your mates and believe in yourselves. I said that with some understanding that I’d been there and done that. You feel that given some time at that level, you could have done better but you don’t know until you put your toe in the water.
Now all the 2010 blokes can tell the next generation, back yourselves and back your mates. I think in part, that’s why a lot of players are earning a living on the other side of the world. Not just because of that but there are a lot of good football people who put time back into the game in New Zealand who deserve credit for developing players who are now earning a living that we’re all proud of all around the world.
Did your personal World Cup experience impact you in any particular way?
My football philosophy changed from my time at the World Cup finals. You can’t play against Brazil and have a change of opinion of how the game is played. Everything they did was superior. Their first touch was better, they played the game a lot shorter and their touch was softer.
All the things we were taught, things like having a lot of pace in your passing and playing the way you’re facing went out the window for me.
The differences between the best teams and the next level is an ability to read the game and that first touch. It was the same then and it’s the same now.
From your football experience in Spain have you taken lessons that have applied to your life outside the game?
As a person it’s about preparation, not short-changing yourself in anything you do. If you want to succeed, it’s about training like you would for any game at all. Giving everything you’ve got and not giving yourself excuses. You do absolutely everything right during the week so that you’ve got no excuses not to play well. Then if someone plays better than you, then you can hold your hand up.
And it’s the same in business, you’ll do absolutely everything you can to understand who you’re playing against, what’s at stake and what your chances of winning are. And I still use that today. Back in our day it was two points for a win but now it’s worth a lot more when money is at stake.
What’s it like being at the current World Cup tournament in Brazil?
It brings a lot of fantastic memories back. I’m in Ipanema with my son and it brings back fantastic memories of our time in the World Cup finals. I’ve been there to compete in it, and I’ve seen on TV but now I’m amongst it, it’s been outstanding.
Where we’re staying is awash with all different colours and supporters from all over the world. It’s the most wonderful, spectacular occasion you could ever wish to be amongst. It’s a footballers dream.
Who is your pick for a winner?
If Brazil don’t win it, Argentina will be right there I think.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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