New Zealand's credibility and future at stake

OPINION: Ryan Nelsen reckons the All Whites were under more pressure in the playoffs against Bahrain than they will be at the World Cup.

Wrong. The Rumble in Rustenburg – the World Cup opener against Slovakia – is the most important match in New Zealand football history. It's more important than the country's World Cup bow against Scotland in Spain 28 years ago and subsequent stoushes with the Soviet Union and Brazil, more momentous than the playoffs against China in Singapore in 1982 and Bahrain in Wellington last year.

Why? Put simply, New Zealand football's credibility and future are at stake.

Expectations have ratcheted up since the All Whites' greatest international victory – the 1-0 win over Serbia in Austria late last month.

Raised expectations are invariably followed by pressure. Critics who had consigned the All Whites to World Cup easy-beat status, along with North Korea, have had to have a rapid rethink.

While Serbia, ranked 15th in the world, are almost 20 rungs higher on the Fifa ladder than Slovakia, a result in Rustenburg tonight would count for much more than that upset in Austria.

All sorts of opportunities could flow for New Zealand football if the All Whites get points on the board – or, dare we dream, reach the round of 16 second stage.

International invitations would abound, not just for the All Whites but for national age-group teams. Individual players are more likely to attract lucrative offers from overseas clubs if the national team performs at the World Cup. There would also be spinoffs for coaches, referees, administrators, marketers and media.

Doors would open that were previously slammed shut in the All Whites' faces. Success in South Africa could form the foundation of an enduring international programme.

Every World Cup team has its own private goal. Australia, at Germany 1974, seemed content to be Oceania's first World Cup finals representative. The 1982 All Whites' vowed to do what the Socceroos couldn't – score goals. That they duly did, with the two Steves (Sumner and Wooddin) netting against Scotland.

Unlike their 1982 antecedents, the Class of 2010 are fully fledged paid professionals.

This group cannot trot out Charlie Dempsey's canon from 1982 that "we've won our World Cup" just by getting there. They must come away from South Africa with a first World Cup win or draw under their belts to attract universal acclaim.

It is almost impossible to refute Nelsen's previously stated claim that a second stage finish for the All Whites would rank as one of the greatest achievements in New Zealand's sporting annals.

First-time finalists Slovakia represent New Zealand's best chance of success at this World Cup.

Everyone hopes the All Whites will be able to adopt a positive approach. But all sporting sides must play to their strengths.

The All Whites are stronger in central defence and attack than they are in midfield. So no-one should carp if they rely predominantly on the long ball tonight. Route one from Nelsen to Rory Fallon or Chris Killen might just yield the knockdowns for Shane Smeltz to pull the trigger.

Coaches Ricki Herbert and Brian Turner hugged when the All Whites drew 0-0 with Iraq in the Confederations Cup finals in Johannesburg last year for New Zealand's first point at a senior Fifa tournament.

What will they do if their charges conquer Slovakia? Serenade each other with vuvuzelas?

- © Fairfax NZ News