Soccer: Experts, fans give NZ fighting chance

All Whites defender Ivan Vicelich. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Football experts and the public agree - the All Whites can come out of tonight's match against Slovakia with a decent result.

John Adshead, who coached the All Whites in their only other World Cup appearance in 1982, was reluctant to predict how the game would pan out but said the team had never played as consistently as it has of late.

"We've never before played consistently back to back against teams that are in the top 25 in the world, but we have done that now and we haven't been totally outplayed or embarrassed," said Adshead.

He said if the All Whites stood a chance, their ball retention has got to improve and they must not give away free kicks, "because if you give any free kicks away to teams at this level, you will be punished".

"We're probably going into this game with a realistic chance," said Adshead. "Australia usually overshadows New Zealand, but maybe it's New Zealand's time to overshadow Australia in this tournament.'

"I hope and pray we stay very close and I'd love to see us score at least one goal. If we come away with any result, it shows a big step up from 82."

Steve Sumner, who captained the All Whites at the 1982 World Cup, has just been in South Africa and says the atmosphere is "magical".

"I am very hopeful that our guys get the start that will make the rest of the world take notice and that they reach their own expectations," said Mr Sumner.

"A lot of time and money have been spent on this campaign and it's now time for our guys to repay all the faith shown with a performance that makes all of New Zealand proud."

Allan Jones, another former All Whites coach, is picking tonight's game will end in a one-all draw.

"It very much depends on who we select but I honestly believe we can get a result," he said.

"I think we can get a point. It is crucial not to lose the first game."

Former All White and nzherald.co.nz columnist Harry Ngata also thinks the game will be a close one.

"We will have to be on our best form and produce our A game. If we put them under pressure, we could get some sort of result."

But he also said it was important to be realistic. "The guy on the street will think 'we beat Serbia, so we can beat Slovakia', but in sport it doesn't always happen like that."

nzherald.co.nz also asked members of the public how they rated the All Whites' chances.

Everyone spoken to thought the All Whites would put on a strong performance and score at least one goal. Few, however, thought they would win.

Auckland accountant Andrew Kendall predicted a 1-0 win, but said the All Whites needed to start strong and score first.

"They should get a good run for their money and create a couple of changes. If they get ahead, I reckon they could do well."

Yvette Toerien, at an Auckland fitness centre, also picked the All Whites to win, 2-1. But she was more excited about the tournament's later games and, in particular, watching Brazil play, Ms Toerien said.

Sam Kellar, an investment analyst, said he was usually a rugby man but would be staying up to watch the Slovakia game.

"It's not very often New Zealand is in the World Cup. But if I'm being realistic, I think they probably will lose," he said, picking a 3-1 final score.

Personal trainer and England fan James Davies predicted a narrow loss.

"I think it will a good game, but Slovakia will just do it, 2-1. I think they'll play well and score, but [Slovakia] will be too strong in the end," he said.

Bartender Taylor Wilson-Burgess said he would be watching the game at home, and while he "hoped" the All Whites would play well, he settled on a 1-1 result.

We also asked our football experts what they thought of the World Cup in general so far.

While Mr Adshead and Mr Ngata were surprised by Australia's 4-0 thumping at the hands of Germany, Mr Jones said he wasn't.

"They are an aging side and they put no pressure on Germany's back four," he said.

Mr Adshead thought that apart from England keeper Robert Green's clanger against the United States, all the goalkeepers in South Africa were playing very well.

"It's going to be a big World Cup," said Mr Adshead. "It's got all the hallmarks of a great tournament. Let's hope tomorrow night is another hallmark."

All our experts agreed on one point - the ever-present drone of the vuvuzela was incredibly annoying.

"I'm glad I'm not there," said Mr Jones. "It'd absolutely drive you nuts and it's stopping crowd involvement, which is a real shame."

But while Mr Jones and Mr Adshead supported a ban on the South African horns, Mr Ngata was more forgiving.

"They're pretty annoying and it can be off-putting as a player, but you have to block them out," said Mr Ngata. "If they ban them, they ban them - but I'm sure something else would turn up and be equally as annoying."

Mr Sumner, the only one to have been in South Africa, said the "deafening" noise of the vuvuzelas starts at 5am and carries on til late, but "for me, it all adds to the mystique of this World Cup".