World Cup Fever

I can't go this week without professing my pride for our wonderful boys in white. They have done us proud.

Not only am I a footballer, myself, but I am a crazy mental sport nut. Therefore, I have been waiting for the FIFA World Cup finals with baited breath. Waiting to see how our All Whites would fare in their first appearance in 28 years. Waiting for the chance to, once again, see our boys competing on that world stage, a stage that was so high up in the grand scheme of things that, until 7 months ago, it seemed an impossible dream. Having not won or drawn a single match in our campaign of 82, a mere draw with Slovakia was our best chance of securing our first finals point for our history books. A feat comparable to catching a star.

Ranked 78th we are the 3rd lowest ranked team in the finals. The 2nd lowest is South Africa (83rd), who didn't have to qualify to enter (they are the host nation), and the bottom is Korea DPR at 105th. Compare that to the next lowest ranking team above us - Korea Republic at 47th - and you have a real indication of how nearly impossible our star is to reach, let alone catch. Add to that equation our pool: current world champions - Italy (ranked 5th), Paraguay (ranked 31st) and Slovakia (34th); and you realise our dream is light years away.

However, in the unbelievably dramatic final minute of extra time we somehow caught that star. Winston Reid scored the goal which drew our match with Slovakia and the universe was suddenly at our fingertips. One precious world cup final point and we have again surpassed our wildest dreams. With that we were satisfied. And a new pride descended upon our country while our neighbours wanted to claim our success as theirs... Australasians indeed!

On the eve of our showdown with reigning world champions it became apparent how much this point had affected our people. New Zealanders, who previously had no interest in football (yes even our artists), who didn't think we had a chance in hell of beating the Italians let alone drawing with them, made their plans to get up at 2am anyway. Many Kiwis, who were not really aware of the enormity of the feat our boys faced, only really wanted to have a look to see what the fuss was all about. Little did they know they would witness more history in the making...

World Champions? While the Italians go into mourning for the phenomenal 1-1 draw our boys pulled out of the great blue yonder, the Kiwis celebrate another deliriously dazzling result and exalt in the glory of our All Whites. While on the other side of the Tasman, not wanting to be outshone, our neighbours join us in celebrating and are suddenly proud to be Kiwi. (Woops! They mean Australasian).

The All Whites have shown us what can be achieved against the odds. But we are also humbled by our boys. They have worked hard in the face of a nation who usually only ever exalts rugby stars (I have been guilty of it myself). And they have won our hearts. From a nation where we have all of 25 professional footballers (Italy have over 3500), our rising stars have brought a proud footballing nation to their knees. These boys have, against all odds, created history. What more could we want?? Nothing! We are champions in our eyes.

GO THE ALL WHITES! Making us proud.