New Zealanders have a reputation for going into World Cups a little too confident. Arrogant, even.
But on the highveld over the next few weeks, the knockout-round exit that has become the hallmark of the All Blacks would be considered a remarkable success for the All Whites – perhaps even the nation's greatest sporting triumph.
Of course, we all know that New Zealand are unlikely to appear in the second round of their World Cup. Mildly surprised bookies the world over have slightly shortened the odds after the remarkable draw against Slovakia in the opening match yesterday. But Italy are cracking their knuckles ahead of the next pool game, so one nicked goal might be as good as it gets.
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For New Zealand football fans, starved of recognition, a draw is a fine haul. To say that the All Whites slipped under their World Cup opponents' radar is something of an understatement. In television interviews a few weeks before the tournament, Paraguayan players struggled to recall the lesser fancied of their Group F opponents - Italy and Slovakia they could name, but they scratched their heads failing to cite the name of the land in the South Pacific.
But Winston Reid's injury-time equaliser against Slovakia has put the team firmly on the map. Opponents will now know they can play (albeit largely up route one and generally with a spot of good fortune at the back) and the wavering fans at home now realise there could be something to cheer about.
In terms of geopolitical bragging rights, Reid's headed goal has raised the prospect that our heroes could return home with more points than Australia. Well, one more point. If there's one thing guaranteed to attract the attention of New Zealand sports fans, it's a pants-down thrashing of Australia. Like the English, a good Kiwi sports fan will chortle along to a spot of Convict-bashing in whatever form it's offered. Unlike you lot, we could even cheer Germany to their four goals.
With its happy mix of Australian agony and Kiwi joy, sports fans here are taking the tournament to heart. At a pub in Palmerston North – once a bastion of the oval ball where blokes would contemplate the dark deeds of men such as Mark "Cowboy" Shaw in stoic silence – tearful All Whites fans gushed about their new heroes. "It's unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable," said Shane Kearns, of yesterday's draw. "I never stopped believing, never. There's nothing like football."
Back in Auckland, New Zealand Herald sports columnist Chris Rattue was equally effusive in his praise. "I have seen many great New Zealand sporting moments over the years but nothing to match this," he said.
Amid such good cheer, football in New Zealand senses that this could be its time to bloom. The solitary foray on to the big stage before now came back in 1982 when rugby was on a low after a Springbok tour in 1981 led to rioting in the streets. Football had an open-net chance to take what its devout fans - who have the air of puritans in an infidel land - claim as its rightful place.
In Spain, the All Whites shipped five goals to Scotland, three to the USSR and – with some relief – just four to Brazil. The two goals they bagged against Scotland (take a bow Steve Sumner and Steve Woodin) were deemed worthy of a commemorative biscuit tin. But the boat was missed. Domestically football remained a game of little fiefdoms and never pushed home a concerted claim to Kiwi hearts. When faced with the biscuit tin, most Kiwis today would absent-mindedly look inside for a cookie.
Today it could be different. Football has an advantage – the nascent golden age of New Zealand football is boosted by the rapacious spread of the Premier League. Here, just as in London and Hong Kong, kids align themselves with Manchester United.
The international game remains a hard sell. Rugby offers us a different view of ourselves on the world stage. Former All Black Chris Laidlaw summed up the appeal. "We may be small, isolated, lonely and not very confident, but by God we bow to nobody when it comes to rugby."
The All Whites didn't bow to Slovakia. Do we dare dream the impossible dream? Go on then, here's to a draw with Italy...