Even Aussies are backing the All Whites

OK, not all of them (and I’ll get to that) - but the predominant sentiment across the ditch is of support for the All Whites against Bahrain. If you survey the Australian football media, blogs and discussion forums they are – on the whole - backing the All Whites, in some cases quite passionately. 

This is refreshing and I'm sure it would not have been this way two or three years ago. Terry Serepisos and the Wellington Phoenix deserve much credit for shifting Australian perceptions and attitudes towards New Zealand football. And this matters. Australia is our closest and most natural sporting market. Plus, it’s important to the Kiwi psyche. We are kinda fragile. We like to be liked.

For a long time, most Australian football fans regarded Kiwi football with disdain – for a bunch of reasons. Here are a few.

First, let’s face it, on the park they have largely had us whipped for a couple of decades. Since we last knocked them over in a World Cup qualifier - at Mt Smart stadium in 1989 (I found an amusing reminder of that fine day), they have forged a very formidable international football side, a side now ranked top in Asia and in the world’s top 30 - and a side that progressed to last 16 of the 2006 World Cup Finals. As Australia’s footballing confidence and credentials have grown, its respect for New Zealand has diminished.

Second, marooned for many years in the Oceania Football Confederation and with (perhaps justifiably) a serious superiority complex, I think it became comforting and convenient for frustrated Aussie football fans to distance themselves and their football team from everything Oceania, including us.

Third, the performance of New Zealand-based football sides in Australian professional leagues (on and off the field) did much damage. Although they had a few moments, the Kingz were poor performers. The Knights were just dreadful and seriously undermined the credibility and reputation of the game on this side of the Tasman (and not just in Australian eyes either).

The Phoenix has turned much of this around. The club has been competitive on the park and stable off it. In fact, some Aussies might even confess to having a soft spot for the Phoenix. The club has also lifted the profile of New Zealand footballers. The likes of Smeltz, Bertos, Moss, Sigmund and Brown are known to A-League fans and respected. Against Bahrain those players will be - in the eyes of some - representatives of the A-League. Its not surprising A-League fans want them to perform. Many Gold Coast fans (yes, I know, snigger) will be barracking for Smeltz, just as many Plymouth Argyle fans will get up early on the English South Coast to support their Rory Fallon.

So then, who is this dissenting Aussie minority, those who would support the distant, Middle East kingdom of Bahrain against their Anzac neighbours. Loosely, these Aussie "nasties" fall into two categories. On one hand, there are those Australians who continue to regard everything New Zealand football with contempt. They prefer to mock and sneer and can be likened to the Euro football snobs we have over here.

On the other hand, there are those whose attitude is, apparently, more calculated (not necessarily more justified). This group worries about the politics of Asian football. They know some key Asian football figures frown upon the Phoenix’s presence in the A-League. They see a potential threat to A-League Champions League slots or – even - Australia’s World Cup bid. Meanwhile, they fear that an All Whites qualification at Bahrain’s expense could raise questions about Asia’s right to 4.5 World Cup qualifying spots. Sure, I abbreviate, generalise and I paint in limited shades, but the essential fear is that the Phoenix and the All Whites complicate life for Australian football – and it would be easier if they disappeared.

To the first group, I say get over it (although their cause may already be well lost). To the second, for whom there is still hope, I say loosen up, the vagaries and complexities of international football politics are too hazardous to second guess. Go with your ticker instead.

To the overwhelming majority, I say bravo, thanks for the support, I hope New Zealand football continues to lift its game and contribute positively to the growth of our sport in our part of the world. An All Whites win on Saturday night would be another tremendous step.

PS - I am a fan of the Socceroos. I was roaring for them against Uruguay in ‘05, as I was during Germany ’06 and will be hoping they knock over Oman in the weekend. I empathise with the challenge Australian football had overcoming its prior status as a second-tier sport (there should be a natural rapport between New Zealand and Australian football fans) and I think the Socceroos have brought credibility (in spades) to the global game down under.

PPS - By contrast, I would not contemplate supporting the Australian cricket team, against anyone - too good, too arrogant, all of that stuff.

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Stefan   #1   10:15 am Nov 13 2009

I agree. When in Sydney for the Nix game recently, all of the Sydney fans I talked to were wishing us luck. It felt great to have their support.

Craig   #2   01:19 pm Nov 13 2009

I'm an Aussie, but I will be 100% behind the 'All Whites' tomorrow. This is your Uruguay 2005. My prediction NZ 2 - Bahrain 0. Bahrain will choke. Smeltz will score 2 goals. Go the Kiwi's! I just hope I can find somewhere to watch the game...

the real news   #3   01:57 pm Nov 13 2009

Great. This is very refreshing from the usual tedious trans-tasman rivalry especially in New Zealand where supporting any Australian side under any circumstances is always frowned upon as unpatriotic.

I have a great admiration for Australian sport, and although they dominate us in most sports, and some of their sporting heroes' antics make them hard to like, I would support our Ozzie neighbors over most other sporting teams.

the Australians are generally very receptive to strengthening our teams through competition etc. and there can be no doubt that the all whites would be considerably weaker without the inclusion of a team in the a-league. We should be grateful for this.

Simon   #4   01:59 pm Nov 13 2009

Craig, if you're in melbourne. The Celtic Club in the city is showing the game from 5.30p.m onwards. There will be heaps of us there!

Mixed feelings   #5   02:04 pm Nov 13 2009

The All Blacks are so over-exposed (come on, as if they can cook...) that I'm not surprised Kiwis have jumped on board this one. I didn't see much interest in their national football team from Kiwis between 1982 and now so I think Bahrain deserve it just as much, if not more than New Zealand.

Luckily deserving it has nothing to do with what happens on the pitch so I'll be watching with interest from the fence. These play-offs are some of the most tense and exciting moments in world sport so it should be a cracker. If I'm moved I might even mumble a half-hearted encouragement or two.

Socceroos to make the 2nd round at the WC and then go on to win the Asian Cup!

Canukiwi   #6   02:26 pm Nov 13 2009

All the very, very best fella's. Show belief in yourself & back your decision making & most importantly, believe in your team mates.

Daniel King   #7   02:31 pm Nov 13 2009

Good luck All Whites, I'm an Englishman living in Sydney so i'll be glued to the set tomorrow evening, hope you do it.

Can you imagine the atmosphere if England, Australia and New Zealand are drawn in the same group at the World Cup? Awesome.

Louie   #8   03:18 pm Nov 13 2009

As an Aussie I would love to see the kiwis qualify for the world cup. As you rightly mentioned it would raise the profile down under of the world game.

Lets not kid ourselves as we still share the same battles across tasman with competing with other football codes - however football in australia has come a long way recently.

It will be also good for the A-league seeing the guys go through!

I do have a soft spot for the phoenix and I wish Sydney Fc we're run just as well - come on, 5 ceo's/coaches in 5 years...

I'll be glued to the tele as it will be just like reliving 05 all over again.

Good Luck Boys!!

Mike   #9   03:37 pm Nov 13 2009

Even Aussies are backing the All Whites??? And? Why does that surprise anyone? Football fans love to see the underdog do well. The Australia/NZ "inferiority complex" only runs one way.

craig   #10   04:05 pm Nov 13 2009

It would be great for the region to see our friends across the Tasman qualify for the World Cup. Also, respect to Ricki Herbert & Phoenix for their contribution to the A-League.

Thanks for the tip Simon, but I'm in Sydney. Does anyone know a venue that's showing the game there?

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