Christie: We can make an impact at Cup

Northland's Jeremy Christie believes the All Whites squad is capable of causing an upset at the tournament he has been yearning to reach for the whole of his professional
career.
Although the 27-year-old was considered by many to be the bolter in the final World Cup squad, Christie has been a regular member of All Whites' coach Ricki Herbert selections since his first game in charge in 2005.
"Ricki's dream then and ever since has been to qualify for the World Cup and now that we're there we want to go and prove a point, we're not going there to make up the numbers we want results and everyone in the squad is the same - everyone wants to do something special for our country," Christie said.
He said the squad that has assembled in Auckland this week is the best New Zealand team he has played in his 20 internationals since his debut - against Australia in London - in 2005.
"There are always surprises in the World Cup and we want a part of that. Look at Senegal beating France, and South Korea making the semifinals in 2002, we want to be the one that surprises in South Africa."
Christie said while the main focus in the All Whites camp this week has been the World Cup, the conversation has mainly revolved around the match in Melbourne.
"It's a massive game for us - it's our first build-up match to the World Cup and being Kiwis we hate Aussies on the sports field and we want to go out there and outplay them and give them a kicking and I'm sure they'll be thinking the same thing," Christie said.
Although Christie missed the Bahrain qualifying series he never gave up on getting back into the squad and with his recent form playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the American second division, he wasn't as surprised as the media seemed to be on his recall.
"People in the media have been surprised that I made the squad but for me, up until and including the Confederations Cup last year, I'd been in every squad since 2005," he said.
His experience and the longevity of his relationship with Herbert and assistant coach Brian Turner gives him confidence he may see some game time during the World Cup.
"Whenever I've been in the squads in the past I've generally got quite a bit of game time ... and whenever anyone is called upon, then everyone gets behind them and if I do get a chance, and hopefully I will, I'm confident the boys will help me out and I won't feel too much pressure."
After the Melbourne match the squad heads for altitude training in Austria before further matches against Serbia and Slovenia. Christie said the matches won't be taken lightly.
"The best way for us to get prepared is to put on a few good performances beforehand and hopefully we can go rolling into the World Cup with a couple of good results behind us."
The squad leaves today for Australia. Monday's match kicks off at 9pm (NZT).