The All Whites will be chasing a slice of history when they take on South Africa in their second Confederations Cup match tomorrow morning (6.30am NZT).
The senior men's team have never claimed a point at a Fifa tournament - 1982 World Cup and 1999 and 2003 Confederations Cups - and in 10 matches have scored just four goals and conceded 34. Five of those came against a rampant Spain on Monday morning.
But there is genuine belief within the All Whites that they can get something out of the match with Bafana Bafana, or Iraq three days later, and achieve a first for football in New Zealand.
Although the world rankings are flawed, Ricki Herbert's side (ranked 82) were handed a generous draw in an eight-team competition alongside Spain (1), South Africa (72) and Iraq (77).
Just imagine their task if they were in Egypt's shoes taking on five-time world champions Brazil (4), four-time and current world champions Italy (5) and the United States (14).
Despite this, New Zealand will still start their match with South Africa as underdogs and will have to be at their best if they are to get anything out of the match.
"It's a massive challenge for us on the back of a performance we weren't very pleased with against Spain," skipper Tim Brown said. "Not too many people are expecting too many great things from us and that might allow us to play with some freedom.
"Hopefully we can turn things around and create a little bit of history with an upset."
It's not entirely out of the question. South Africa are in a rebuilding phase under coach Joel Santana and are under enormous pressure after their opening 0-0 draw with Iraq.
Lose or even draw and they are most likely out, given their last game is against Spain. Lose and the public will want Santana, who is widely criticised for his ultra-conservative approach, deported back to his homeland of Brazil.
"It's a big match, but a huge match for South Africa," All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said. "They will be looking to win the game after a surprise result against Iraq. I think they will be under a lot of pressure.
"We could catch South Africa on the backlash a little bit. They might have thought they should have won the first game so they will need the three points tomorrow. It could be interesting."
It would be very intriguing if the All Whites start well and keep Bafana Bafana scoreless, heaping even more pressure on the home side.
They will try to play more attacking football in the hope of putting their opposition on the back foot. They were too hesitant in the 5-0 defeat to Spain - although anyone would have been made to look ordinary by Spain that night - and don't want to die wondering.
Herbert said "all 11" positions were up for grabs but he's likely to make only one change with Jeremy Christie, who played the last hour against Spain, to start at right midfield in place of Jeremy Brockie.
He had considered replacing Andy Boyens with Ben Sigmund at centre back but Sigmund hasn't played since January because of a hip injury.
They have spent plenty of time working on their right-side defence which was so badly exposed by Spain and will also employ Shane Smeltz, who goes into the match with 12 international goals in his last 11 games, in a more advanced position beside Chris Killen.
Likely lineup (4-4-2): Glen Moss; David Mulligan, Ivan Vicelich, Andy Boyens, Tony Lochhead; Jeremy Christie, Tim Brown (c), Simon Elliott, Leo Bertos; Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen.
Michael Brown is in South Africa courtesy of Emirates, official airline of the 2010 World Cup.
