New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen: We hope to do our country proud against Slovakia
All Whites looking for their first ever victory in a World Cup

By Adithya Ananth
15 Jun 2010 12:48:00

New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen insists that the team would like to play to the best of their abilities so their fans can feel proud of their players during the 2010 World Cup.

The All Whites are taking on Slovakia in their Group F opener today against Slovakia, where a win could send either side to the top of the standings following Italy's draw with Paraguay.

"It's amazing for us," Nelsen told the press. "We have felt the support back in New Zealand. We don't usually get this publicity and support. It's humbling and really exciting.

"We will be making sure we make every New Zealander proud. That is one of our number one goals."

In a country that is generally used to cheering for the All Blacks, the Blackburn Rovers defender hopes to return the favour of the supporters by notching up the country's first ever victory in the World Cup finals.

The only other time that the Kiwis competed in the World Cup was in 1982 in Spain, when they lost all three of their group games - to Scotland, the Soviet Union and Brazil.

But 28 years on, Nelsen believes that the country's football team has significantly improved as he hopes to get his side off the mark in South Africa.

"We are very competitive," he said. "The reality of World Cup football is that you can play really well and lose all the games but we're a very good team and we want to win. It's as simple as that."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/15/1977609/new-zealand-skipper-ryan-nelsen-we-hope-to-do-our-country