Tiny Little New Zealand Qualifies for the 2010 FIFA World Cup!!

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   Pearldiverposted 15 years ago

   In 1982 NZ qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever.  Today, 27 years later; some of the sons of those 1982 players were fielded against Bahrain to determine the group qualifying.
   Bahrain only needed a draw; but NZ had to win the match.
   NZ won 1-0 after our keeper saved a Bahrain direct penalty from being scored.
   (No sheep were injured before or during the match! However: I can not say with any authority; if any sheep were invited to the after match celebrations in the backcountry )
   
   You don't have to comment; but if you do; please excuse my total lack of forum niceness....... I'm going Fishing

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      Antonio Martinez1posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Ten years later, I still believe that New Zealand was the fun team to watch during the 2010 World Cup. Having written about the team's progress from 2004 to 2010, I found that this was a team that whether you had allegiances to New Zealand or a casual neutral, you could not help but root for the nation, especially after their first foray in 1982.
      
      I know that I would love to see New Zealand back in 2022 and at least 2026 in the United States.

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2. 0

   ryankettposted 15 years ago

   Congrats..... my team had Chris Killen on loan last year, he was absolutely pants for us and we sent him back to Celtic. Sorry, but he just was! Can we all expect to see a few hubs about the world cup from you now?

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      Pearldiverposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah Chris Killen had a very average game and was subbed in the second half. Don't be sorry mate; He's not the flashest player for sure and missed a couple of good opportunities. But the key thing with the kiwis is that half the team aren't even professional and they didn't have much support from our sports bodies. Maybe, on the hub thing.
      Ireland's got France to sort out in this round.

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   rebekahELLEposted 15 years ago

   hey, PD, that's exciting! congrats to NZ!

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      Pearldiverposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Cheers rebekahELLE, Soccer here is totally overshadowed by Rugby and the All Blacks.  I used to coach - 8 years of it.

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   chenmikehkposted 15 years ago

   well done! but will NZ be the whipping boy at the finals?

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      Pearldiverposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      No.. Don't think so.. they're used to being the underdogs.. they're in the finals... for NZ that is worth millions.. so they have already shown their worth.. come what may

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         chenmikehkposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Good. I love underdogs. Come on NZ. Give them big boys some sticks.

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   Eaglekiwiposted 15 years ago

   The little nation with  BIG attitude
   
   I remember still ,dragging my kids outta bed ,woffing down toast n weetbix to get to soccer games on a frosty Sat mornin ,lol...Youngest loved playin Goalie at the junior level , he was quite focused and seemed to just love the contact and mud n blood lol.
   
   He left to play Rugby ,and his learned soccer skills helped him tremoundously!!
   
   Now he prefers playin Mafia Wars ( online virtual game)
   
   but what kid doesnt play sports in New Zealand
   
   Go New Zealand Go get 'em!

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   prettydarkhorseposted 15 years ago

   Good job for them,,,,

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   Ultimate Hubberposted 15 years ago

   That's awesome!
   
   Kiwis are doing good in sports. Played ICC champions trophy final too.
   ROCK ON!

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   Will Apseposted 15 years ago

   Did they use sheep as goal posts in Bahrain?

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