World Cup guide - New Zealand

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw could be forgiven for watching enviously as his country's footballers compete in their first World Cup since 1982. The weight of expectation in rugby-mad New Zealand has proved a heavy burden for the All Blacks, but there is no such pressure on Ricki Herbert's squad. After all, this is a side whose proudest World Cup moment is a 5-2 defeat by Scotland.

New Zealand benefited from Australia's switch to Asian qualifying, coasting past Oceania rivals Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji before holding their nerve in a play-off against Bahrain. Though they beat Serbia in a warm-up, in recent years they have lost to Thailand, Tanzania and Botswana. They were outclassed by Spain at last year's Confederations Cup, when they found themselves 4-0 down inside 27 minutes, but have since switched from 4-4-2 to a defensive 3-4-3, which should prevent any embarrassing scorelines.

Aim: If New Zealand can win a point in South Africa, let alone conjure a win, it will be hailed as a huge achievement.

MARK PASTON Played a key role in qualification, saving a penalty in the play-off against Bahrain. With first-choice keeper Glen Moss suspended for the first two games, the All Whites may require more heroics from Paston.

LEO BERTOS The Kiwis' best chance of scoring may be from set pieces, most of which will come from Bertos' right boot. Four years ago the midfielder/wing-back was playing for Worksop in the Conference North.

RYAN NELSEN The New Zealand skipper is a proven Premier League performer with Blackburn, and will ensure his team-mates are not overawed. The centre-back was sorely missed at last year's Confederations Cup, which he missed with a calf injury.

RICKI HERBERT With a reported basic salary £25,000, he may be the lowest paid coach at the World Cup. It is no wonder he needs a second job to make ends meet - he doubles up as coach of A-League side Wellington Phoenix. Herbert has made the most of limited resources, scouring the globe for eligible players. Tommy Smith and Winston Reid are the latest converts to the Kiwi cause, having represented England and Denmark respectively at youth level.

Everyone loves an underdog, and New Zealand are certainly outsiders at 3000-1. Several of the All Whites have played non-league football, two are free agents and midfielder Andy Barron combines his football with work in a Wellington bank.

W 2-0 Fiji (A)
W 2-1 Vanuatu (A)
W 4-1 Vanuatu (H)
W 3-1 New Caledonia (A)
W 3-0 New Caledonia (H)
L 2-0 Fiji (H)
Finished top of group, seven points ahead of New Caledonia

Play-off
D 0-0 Bahrain (A)
W 1-0 Bahrain (H)

1982: New Zealand lost all three games at their only previous campaign. They gave Scotland a brief scare before losing 5-2, but were well beaten by the USSR and Brazil.

Written by Tom McCoy

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