NZ soccer's 10 big moments of 2009

Rory Fallon's magic header. Photo / Mark Mitchell

At the end of a bumper year for New Zealand soccer, Terry Maddaford counts down 10 of the biggest moments.

1: The 1-0 win over Bahrain in the World Cup qualifier

When Rory Fallon rose to head home Leo Bertos' right wing corner at Westpac Stadium he would have had no inkling of what was about to erupt. Couple that piece of magic with Mark Paston's brilliant second half save of the Bahrain penalty which should have locked it up at 1-1, and the highlight of New Zealand's sporting year was sealed.

It was one of those unforgettable moments which galvanises a nation.

For coach Ricki Herbert that triumph fully justified his call to break with tradition and go with an untried formation in accordance with "horses for courses" just as he had done in bringing Fallon and Michael McGlinchey into the fold.

* * *

2: Auckland City's fifth place at the Fifa club World Cup

Paul Posa and his team of amateurs left home with high hopes but no great expectations. That they beat the odds to dispatch local hopes Al Ahli and went on to stun African champions TP Mazembe 3-2 as Jason Hayne scored twice and unlikely hero substitute Riki van Steeden
snatched the dramatic stoppage time winner, was testament to their pluck and determination.

Their win, and the useful pay cheque that went with it, has left Fifa with a curly conundrum in sorting out next year's draw.

* * *

3: The All Whites draw 0-0 away with Bahrain

Herbert played his trump card in this one and came up trumps. While the hosts would have expected the formation used in earlier matches and based their tactics around that, Herbert injected Leo Bertos and Tony Lochhead into unfamiliar wing back roles in a 3-4-1-2 line-up. It caught the hotly-favoured Bahrainis off guard.

The home side dominated but could not turn that huge advantage into goals and trooped off empty-handed to keep the All Whites in the driving seat for their home tie.

* * *

4: All Whites draw 0-0 with Iraq at Confederations Cup

A long time in the planning, the point the All Whites, without inspirational captain Ryan Nelsen but with Ivan Vicelich coerced out of international retirement, claimed was significant. In eight earlier Cup matches, the All Whites had failed to claim anything.

This result justified their presence at the tournament and gave a hint of better to come. It did.

* * *

5: The under-17 team getting beyond group play in Nigeria

Six months out from the Fifa Under-17 World Cup, Steve Cain replaced Colin Tuaa as coach. In the short time at his disposal, Cain instilled the confidence and belief this team needed.

They managed three 1-1 draws, including a late goal in from midfielder Zane Sole in one match (a contender for goal of the tournament) to progress to the round of 16 while many of the more fancied teams headed home. It was the first time a New Zealand team had made it to the knockout phase.

* * *

6: The Football Ferns beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Cyprus

This was a breakthrough for New Zealand women's football - a first win over a European team and the first victory against a top 20 team in 22 years. A culmination of the good work done by John Herdman and others.

* * *

7: The All Whites get a second shot at Italy

Van Hattum and All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner were in Cape Town when New Zealand were drawn against world champions Italy at next year's World Cup.

While they will be up against it, the All Whites can at least point to their game against the Italians this year when they led three times before succumbing 4-3.

* * *

8: NZ referees whistle their way closer to the top

In being appointed to control the semifinal between Switzerland and Colombia at the Under-17 World Cup, Auckland referee Michael Hester broke new ground. It continued bold showings by him and Peter O'Leary at the highest level.

One or other, and their assistants, seem certain to now get their chance at the World Cup.

* * *

9: The Phoenix stun the Coast in the A-League

Shane Smeltz returned to Westpac Stadium with his new Gold Coast team expecting to pick up the points and add to his goal tally.

He got neither and joined his teammates on a sheepish trip home after being whacked 6-0 by Herbert's Wellington Phoenix.

* * *

10: Heartbreak in Santiago

The under-20 women were within seconds of becoming the first New Zealand team to progress beyond pool play at a Fifa World Cup tournament when Toni Duggan equalised for England four minutes into time added on.

The point they earned from the 1-1 draw got the English through and sent the unlucky Kiwis, who had earlier beaten hosts Chile 4-3, to the airport.