World's media rich in praise for All Whites
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff
Last updated 10:00 25/06/2010
ATTENTION GRABBERS: The All Whites have become the fairytale story of the World Cup, earning them praise from the media.
New Zealand did enough at the World Cup to convince the international football media that "the All Whites can go home with their heads held high".
New Zealand's unbeaten run at the tournament following their third draw overnight - 0-0 against Paraguay - wasn't enough to get them through to the knockout stage.
But it was clearly enough to suggest Ricki Herbert's side had given the country enormous respect in the world's biggest game.
The Times of London were rich in their praise for New Zealand on the same night that defending champions Italy crashed out of the tournament.
"Italy, eh? Slightly more newsworthy than a goalless draw between Paraguay and New Zealand. But stay with us, because this was a bit special, too. Tedious, yes. But a bit special all the same," Tom Dart wrote in The Times.
"Proof comes with a glance at the group F standings and the realisation that the words 'New Zealand' are above 'Italy'.
"The rank outsiders, derided before the tournament as fruitless Kiwis, were better over the past three games than the world champions. Three draws for the nation whose only previous finals appearance, in 1982, brought three defeats.
"That is a triumph, even if the dominant emotion in the immediate aftermath of yesterday's game was dejection that New Zealand failed to turn a minor miracle into a major one. One goal, one solitary goal, and Ricki Herbert's men would have won the group.
"However, while superb at frustrating, New Zealand are not good at creating. They had four shots against Paraguay, none accurate. With a total of three efforts on target all tournament, it is amazing they managed to score twice."
British tabloid The Sun joined the theme, saying: " New Zealand, written off by everyone before the finals began, go home with their heads held high..
The Guardian liked New Zealand's playing strip. "Playing for the first time in the tournament in the black shirts so synonymous with the country's rugby team, Ricki Herbert's side began well against the South Americans. Shane Smeltz, who attained hero status when he scored in the 1-1 draw with Italy, blazed wildly over from outside the penalty area in the fifth minute.
"New Zealand's gameplan, however, as it had been for their previous two matches, was to keep things tight at the back."
Britain's Independent newspaper enjoyed New Zealand's contribution to the tournament.
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"New Zealand's World Cup fairytale came to an end ... but they return home better for the experience.
"In the end it was not All White on the night for Ricki Herbert's side as Slovakia's win over Italy meant the Europeans sneaked into second spot.
"Another resolute performance by a nation playing at only their second World Cup will have at least given the fans back home who stayed up for the 2am kick-off New Zealand time something to cheer.
"They finished above four-time World Cup winners Italy in third place and that does them great credit."
The BBC described the match as "uneventful".
"New Zealand, ranked 77 (sic) in the world, also had the chance of reaching the last 16 but wasted their golden opportunity by failing to trouble Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar even once in the match," wrote Saj Chowdhury for the BBC.
"New Zealand will rue not having made the most of their chance to cause a World Cup sensation.
"But three draws from three matches and finishing one place above 2006 tournament winners Italy means the All Whites travel back east from Polokwane with both pride intact and reputation enhanced."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/fifa-world-cup/all-whites/3853702/Worlds-media-rich-in-praise-for-All-Whites