Herbert happy as his All Whites deliver
BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
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All Whites coach Ricki Herbert praised the new generation of stars and left the glory with his players after their stunning 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Bahrain.
Herbert, a 1982 veteran, didn't want to delve into the past. It was all about looking forward to next year's finals in South Africa.
"It was just so special for me to see the emotions of the players ... wow ... unbelievable," Herbert said.
"Tonight is about these boys who never stopped believing. We've all worked hard, we all backed the system and believed we could win.
"It's different for me sitting there on the bench screaming from the other side of the white line."
Herbert said Rory Fallon's headed gaol just before halftime was a real boost, as was the penalty save from keeper Mark Paston just after the interval.
They were key moments in a matched that had continual flow but one which New Zealand slowly took control of and looked the more likely in a winner-take all contest.
"We always knew they were going to be a difficult side. But we stepped up at both ends and didn't deviate from our plans," Herbert said.
The victory earned New Zealand a $10m windfall from Fifa's World Cup kitty, money that will secure the future of the game here.
Herbert pleaded for the riches to be wisely spent.
"We can't go down that road again," he said of football's inability to capitalise on their 1982 glory.
"These guys will go the World Cup and it will be lifelong memories for them. But we can't forget the young kids that are left here."
And rugby should be worried if the passion displayed in Wellington overflows into the development ranks. The white army that invaded the Cake Tin put an All Blacks crowd to shame with their vocal support.
Herbert revealed he hadn't seen his side for most of the day, purposely giving his players space.
"I didn't go to breakfast, I didn't go to lunch but I liked what I saw this afternoon. I'm just so proud of them."
He felt they had made a nervous start but quickly grew into the game.
"I thought we'd done a fair bit by halftime. We changed things a bit at halftime ... we were a bit flat across the front, (Shane) Smeltz was a bit too high. But it was about keeping the pressure on and this side plays its best when they are going forward."
Herbert showed that with his two second half substitutions. They weren't changes aimed at bolstering the defence and seeing the win out. He brought on Andy Barron to give some fresh legs to his midfield and then introduced young striker Chris Wood late in the match as New Zealand kept pressure on the Bahrain goal.
Bahrain coach Milan Macala didn't front the aftermatch press conference as he was left contemplating another major failure. The Czech has now been in charge of six national sides without ever featuring at a World Cup.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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at graham henry#12.
take a long hard look at yourself...the all blacks don't qualify for your so called "world cup", they get invited. Thats cos the rest of the world doesn't play or care about your sport, making the term "world cup" in rugby redundant. Wake up sunshine!
At #12... Every country in the World plays to get into the World Cup of Football!!!! Rugby well there would be maybe 40 countries. Go the All Whites, it was a fantastic game and I was there with my kids and they will remember this forever!! Roll on next year... Jim
Thankyou nz football for making us expats so proud!!! go for gold!!
great game. about time footie got the attention it deserves. All blacks take note on how to not choke on big occasions
#12 Graham Henry (obviously supporter of a losing coach) - qualifying for the football world cup is a truly remarkable achievement in a country so dominated by rugby media (only because of those that work in the industry - support for football is as big as rugby in NZ). Qualifying for the rugby world cup, a game played by a handful of small nations, holds no merit at all - this achievement by the all whites is bigger than the all blacks winning their world cup, something they've struggled to do for 20 years despite them being at the top of the (rugby) world rankings. Get off here and leave us to be happy.
I loved the way Herbert threw in a couple of F-bombs in his post-match interview. Thats raw emotion at its best!!!
At #4 - take a long hard look at yourself mate, when have the All Blacks not qualified for a world cup
Fantastic game and result for NZ football! Memories of the playoff v China in 1982. Herbert has the 3-4-3 formation working well (or is that a 5-2-2-1?). One note: don't understand why the NZPA reports called the penalty "controversial"; thought the referee had an excellent game actually. Looking forward to South Africa next year!
A great night, the Bahrainis wouldn't have noticed the cold. The conditions seemed to have little impact - Bahrain had their chances. however, 3 hours of football and couldn't score a goal.
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Fantastic game, it was electric. As a long time rugby supporter who has attended many tests, Hurricanes and Seven events at the stadium- they all paled in comparison to the atmosphere last night. What created the buzz was partly the suspense i.e. final qualifing game, Bahrain only had to score level at any time and it would be them going to the world cup not us. The All Whites players also played their part with their nuggety determination to win slowly but surely nullifying the Bahrain teams efforts. But it was more than that...there was something 'looser' about this soccer crowd. Chanting/singing/standing up are rarely seen or encouraged at a rugby match. At the Sevens, which is a party, half of the crowd is either too drunk, trying to hit on someone or partying out on the concourse (ie not really interested in the game.) But last nights crowd was definitely there to watch the soccer, back the All Whites and enjoy themselves by expressing their support. It was the first soccer game that I have been to and I'll definitely be back. This was the most greatest spectator experience of my life, I doubt it will be topped- thanks boys.