Italian company Panini introduced the first World Cup sticker collection at the 1970 tournament.
“We’re about halfway through, we’ve had quite a lot of lads getting behind it and we had a good couple of nights doing it in the first few days when we got here.
All Whites goalkeeper Max Crocombe says the All Whites have been collecting stickers between World Cup matches. Photo / Photosport
“Everyone’s pitching in and doing different jobs and organising the teams.”
Crocombe said defender Tyler Bindon led the charge in starting up the hobby for the rest of the squad.
“I think he went to Target and he said he was going to get some, so I said, ‘Oh, go and get me some as well then’. So he did and then we started from there.”
The goalkeeper shared which of the All Whites stickers were most sought after and who he had too many of.
“Payney’s the big one now, isn’t he? Yeah, got loads of Boxy for some reason, just got loads of them, so if anyone needs a swap, I’ve got him.”
He also said he had his own sticker, but would be keen to upgrade that as well if anyone was looking to trade.
Crocombe said collecting stickers was just one aspect of showing how close the team was.
“Lads don’t just go to their rooms and hide away from each other. Everyone’s involved and we’re always doing things together.
“I think that’s a big reason why we are so close. There’s obviously deep connections from a long, long time ago, some lads grew up together, which is special.
“I don’t know how often you get that in international football, just football in general.
“We got a really tight-knit group, we’re always doing different things and getting at each other and competing at the end of the day.”
When it comes to preparing for Egypt in their next game, Crocombe said they won’t be making any special preparations to shut down Mo Salah.
“We know all about him, watched him for many, many years.
“But as you know in international football, you can’t underestimate anyone else and can’t focus on one player too much.
“It’s very much, you know, they’re going to have loads of threats all around the pitch.
“So yeah, we won’t be isolating one player, but obviously we know the threats of Salah.”
The All Whites sit at the top of Group G after their 2-2 draw with Iran, thanks to receiving fewer yellow cards than their opponents.
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