But even with that – the team was there. And this was an accessible, navigable group. Sure, the All Whites were underdogs in all three matches but they proved to be extremely competitive against both Iran and Egypt. And it’s generally agreed there were much harder groups at this tournament. For example, no smaller nation would want to be with Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast, or the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden. Group H had Spain and Uruguay, Group K had Portugal and Colombia. England and Croatia in Group L? – no thanks, or Argentina, Austria, Algeria – probably not. And New Zealand Football were happy to avoid France and Norway in Group I.
Eli Just scores his first goal against Iran. Photo / Photosport
But for some key moments, the All Whites could have – probably should have – collected four points from the matches against Iran and Egypt. They also had the bonus of facing an Iran team that had suffered a chaotic preparation, the like of which will hopefully never be seen again. What stings most is the what-if. The fact the All Whites were so close and yet ended so far away.
What also stings is the knowledge that reaching the knockout stages could have changed the sport forever in this country. It would have put the team on the map in an unprecedented way and brought individual and collective opportunities over the next four years, not to mention the commercial benefits of another week – or longer – of exposure at the tournament.
It’s a bit like the Football Ferns scenario at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, though magnified considerably. There are so many “what might have been” moments. This is normal in top level sport but it’s harder to take at the biggest tournament in the world.
Of course, the All Whites should be back in four years’ time, given the direct route through Oceania. Of course, they will benefit and grow from this experience, massively in some cases. Of course, the team will evolve across the next cycle and most are young enough to be at – or near – their peak in 2030.
But other nations will improve too and teams in every other confederation have the benefit of more competitive matches and longer and tougher qualifying routes. And the World Cup is a strange, unforgiving beast. Look at some of the countries that also went home before the knockout stages; Uruguay (world No 19), South Korea (32), Turkey (27), Czech Republic (48), Iran (21) and Scotland (42).
Nothing can be assumed or taken for granted. Who knows what kind of draw the All Whites could get next time? They might have a pool with two European nations, or they could get stuck with a South American team, always a fearful prospect.
There is also the glass half full view. The team played the best football ever seen by any All Whites side – by some distance – and gained admirers across the globe, particularly against Iran and the first half against Egypt. The likes of Elijah Just, Marko Stamenic, Finn Surman, Tyler Bindon, Ben Old, Jesse Randall, Alex Paulsen and Cacace have much more to come in their careers and will do great things in the silver fern. And the ongoing presence of Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix, along with, to a lesser extent, the Oceania Pro League, will increase the opportunities for kids here to reach the first rungs of a professional ladder.
Finn Surman is an outstanding All Whites prospect. Photo / Photosport
But the conclusion can’t be avoided. This All Whites team failed to achieve either of their two main targets – win a match and progress to the knockout stages – when it was tangibly in their grasp. That is unfortunately, what history will judge, as they couldn’t reach their stretch goal.
That is what made the John Adshead’s 1982 team so special, who peaked when it mattered. They should have been eliminated in their final qualifying match but came up with an improbable 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Then came the playoff against China in Singapore, where the odds were stacked against them, before they came through with a priceless 2-1 win to reach Espana 82.
It was the same for the 2010 squad. They got through the Bahrain playoff – holding their nerve across two unbearably tense ties in Manama and Wellington – to qualify. The Ricki Herbert coached, Ryan Nelsen led group then avoided defeat in South Africa, only conceding two goals across the three group matches with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay, a feat that is still celebrated to this day.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.
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