Soccer: Youngsters inspire All Whites

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said his team will take "great inspiration" from New Zealand's recent success at the under-17 soccer World Cup in Nigeria.

The New Zealand under-17 team play Nigeria in their second-round match in Abuja on Friday after earning draws with Turkey, Burkina Faso and Costa Rica in pool play.

The All Whites play Bahrain in Wellington on November 14 in their second leg qualifier for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The first leg, played in Manama last month, resulted in a scoreless draw.

Herbert sent congratulations from his staff and players to under-17 coach Steve Cain and his team.

In the message, Herbert said the result was a tremendous achievement.

"Qualification for the second round of a World Cup and an unbeaten record is something you can be proud of.

"We're elated to see you break new ground for New Zealand football teams and we'll take great inspiration from your performances, your attitude and your success in our own big game on November 14th."

Meanwhile, the top 16 teams were confirmed after the completion of group play today, with Nigeria qualifying top of a "group of death", featuring Argentina, Germany and Honduras.

Cain said he was excited with the prospect of playing the Nigeria at the 60,000-seat Abuja National Stadium.

"The occasion will be absolutely fantastic. The crowd will be huge and the atmosphere will be absolutely magical," Cain said.

"The African people have been very friendly to us and very complimentary to us when we've played. We've won some hearts and minds and we'd like to continue that with a game against the host nation."

New Zealand laid claim to a piece of football history yesterday when they progressed into the last 16 with a 1-1 draw over Turkey.

Cain said the match was everything the team could have hoped for.

"At a World Cup, every team you play is going to be hard so you'd rather have a game in front of a full house. We've backed ourselves all tournament and we'll do so again against Nigeria. We've shown we're a very hard team to beat."

Kick off for the New Zealand-Nigeria match is 7am NZT Friday.

- NZPA