Can the All Whites reach the second round?

By BILLY HARRIS - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 10:58 06/06/2010

OPINION: So where exactly are we? Are the All Whites going to South Africa to make up the numbers, to battle away gamely before losing three games? Or, best-case scenario, nick a point in a backs-to-the-wall battle?

Or do New Zealand's recent performances allow Kiwi fans to feel justified in asking this question: "If we finish second in the group, who do we meet in the second round?"

A month ago, whenever anyone asked me what I thought of New Zealand's chances, I'd answer: "Realistically, we're not going to get a point.

"It's possible that we have one of those days where everything goes for us – the opposition miss all their chances, and we get one and take it – but if you're thinking they can get two decent results and reach the knockout stage, then no, that's not going to happen."

I hinted in this column a few weeks back that Ivan Vicelich – when asked "Can the All Whites reach the second round?", answered "Why not?" – was suffering from early onset HTMB (Headed Too Many Balls).

But now, after the win against Serbia, Vicelich's confidence doesn't seem so misplaced.

Even the 1-3 reversal against Slovenia yesterday needn't knock the All Whites' belief that a spot in the last 16 in South Africa is something they can achieve.

But to do so, the whole team – the coaching staff, the players on the pitch and even the kitman (who had a nightmare yesterday, with captain Ryan Nelsen starting the second half with no name on his replacement jersey) – must get everything absolutely right.

There can be no errors of the sort Mark Paston made in spilling the shot that gifted Slovenia its third goal. Nor of the kind Winston Reid made in reaching for a ball he didn't get. He made no contact with his opponent, Milivoje Novakovic, but his lunge encouraged the Slovenian to hit the ground. It was an appalling dive, but the referee was convinced to award a free kick from which Novakovic scored.

Mistakes of any kind – a wrong angle here, a foot too high there, a moment's rashness or indecision – can be ruthlessly punished and need to be eliminated.

And there can be no confusion about where the strengths of the team lie and the best way to exploit them. Other teams are good at a short passing game. New Zealand's players are suited to a more direct style. The vast majority of scoring chances created by the All Whites come from balls played forward in the air, from which the ball is headed goalward, flicked on or knocked down.
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Rory Fallon's goal resulted from a long ball played by Jeremy Christie and headed down by Chris Wood.

Wood's chance was fashioned by Nelsen's flick on from Simon Elliott's free kick. An even longer ball, from keeper Paston, created havoc in the Slovenian rearguard and Shane Smeltz nearly profited.

And Smeltz's good goal against Serbia followed a Fallon flick.

All proof that though the thoroughbreds of world football look a million dollars stroking the ball around on the deck, when the ball is put in the blender, our boys can compete with the best of them.

If the All Whites can get enough balls, and bodies, into the penalty boxes of Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay in the next three weeks, they can be hopeful of at least matching their recent average of a goal a game.

If they then add to their armoury the attainable commodities of impenetrable organisation, unbreakable concentration and unquenchable desire, three goals would be enough to secure the two decent results (two draws can be enough, but realistically you need at least a win and a draw) required to advance to a second round showdown with, probably, the Netherlands in Durban on June 29.

As a growing number are starting to think: Why not?


http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/3782038/Can-the-All-Whites-reach-the-second-round