Player stalking and magic memories

BY SAM BUCKLE

It's not usually my style, but given the exceptional nature of the win over Bahrain, I allowed myself to indulge in a bit of player stalking down Courtenay Place at circa 3am on Saturday night. I didn't find too many players, but I did stumble across a certain Ricki Herbert.

As you do, or at least as I did, I grabbed his hand, shook it as if it should make his day and then babbled something incoherent about tactical masterstrokes and substitutions. I don't think he actually said anything in respone - quite understandably. But, I remember the look on his face, a glow. He radiated absolute contentment and satisfaction. He was a man in a state of near utopia, with a great weight lifted and basking in wonderful achievement with everything else in his life pushed into the background, for at least one night. For my part, come Sunday I was just trying to push my dreadful headache into the background (I swear I am not drinking again, anything, and that includes my stag party, fellas).

Nice one Ricki, but mind back on the job now, please. The Phoenix needs three points against Newcastle on Sunday.

Fortunately, my memory of the game itself is much clearer. And what memories they are. That was truly an unbelievable night - comfortably the most brilliant sporting event of my life. What a game, what an atmosphere, what a result. Grown men, naked chested, crying, laughing, embracing. It was unbridled passion, tension and emotion that only football can generate. Only football.

From half an hour before kickoff, the stadium was electric. But there are three obvious moments that produced scenes of delirium. Rory Fallon's goal, Mark "God" Paston's penalty save and the final whistle. The place went absolutely bonkers for each. It is well and truly worth savouring those moments again. Thanks to the wonders of Youtube, you can relive those crowd explosions here (full time), here (Fallon goal, southern end), here (Fallon goal northern end). Tragically, I couldn't find a crowd reaction to Paston's save. So, if anybody knows the whereabouts of such a gem, please post a link.

Radio Sport football commentator Jason Pine reckons he could not hear a thing over the crowd after the penalty save - not his co-commentator, David Chote, not his sideline comments man, Daniel McHardy. Nothing but a cacophany of wild celebration. The commentary from that game will be a national historic treasure for many, many years to come. Jason has kindly provided Yellow Fever with a highlights package, which you can listen to here. Sensational!

I was going to try to think of something insightful to say about the opportunities for the game or our dream World Cup draw, but it's still too early. We need to savour that night a little longer - another day or two at least - before we start thinking too hard about what lies ahead. That was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

PS

A lot of people, a lot of heroes, are going to be rightly acknowledged this week - players, coaches, Michael Glading's NZ Football staff. Yet, there are a couple of people whose tremendoous contribution to Saturday night may be overlooked. They shouldn't be.

First, the header above the Hand of God blog says Adam and I were founding members of Yellow Fever. That's true. It doesn't, however, mention that it was Mike Greene's idea and Mike Greene's passion that brought Yellow Fever to life. The atmosphere on Saturday night was not achieved through luck or accident. It was based around a burgeoning culture of football passion and fanship in Wellington. Many people have contributed to that, too many to name. Tens of thousands brought the stadium to life on the weekend. But it started with Mike.

Second, when the date for New Zealand's home World Cup playoff was announced earlier this year, one man simply decided that the game would be played in Wellington and that it would be a sellout.  Team Wellngton chairman and Wellington football identity John Dow led the Wellington bid. The Professional Footballers Association, the Wellington City Council and others played very important roles in bringing the game here (and that was far from a certainty earlier in the year) but it was John's bullishness, his determination, his pro-activity that galvanised the bid and which ensured Wellington simply could not be denied. That game would never have been the same anywhere else in the country. 

Picture: Reuters