Soccer: Proud dad finds it hard to put his feelings into a text

Kevin Fallon. Photo / Brett Phibbs

"Unbelievable. Well done. Enjoy the day."

The text message Kevin Fallon sent to his son, All Whites forward Rory Fallon, and to coach Ricki Herbert, couldn't really sum up how excited Fallon was after the 1-1 draw with Italy that has kept the All Whites World Cup dream alive.

"It was a tremendous performance, fantastic discipline and I thought the defending was superb. They worked hard and it was unbelievable result."

Fallon was coach of the All Whites in 1982, when New Zealand made it into the World Cup finals.

He watched the game with an Italian and leaped into the air when the All Whites goal was scored.

"It got me out of the chair I can tell you that."

He felt the penalty awarded to Italy was terrible and worried it would "knock the wind out of our sails" but the team kept at it.

"For the staff and the players it's just an unbelievable occasion. It's exciting times."

He was surprised about the number of females especially who were caught up with All Whites fever.

"They're not sports fans but they're watching it. This has done wonders for the game, it's done wonders for New Zealand."

Everyone went "bonkers" over the Bahrain match but supporters were really getting results now.

"We're getting repaid here in spades, it's fabulous. In 1982 we went there and it was great to be there and we got beat three times by three good sides [but] this side is getting results."

The World Cup campaign could end on Friday with the All Whites clash with Paraguay or it could "take off". Either way Fallon is happy.