Soccer: Fallon sees 'massive chance' in draw

The All Whites have been handed a royal chance of reaching the knockout stages of the upcoming World Cup.

That's the shock message from Rory Fallon despite New Zealand's underdog status. The All Whites group includes World Cup holders Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay.

"Of course people will say we have no chance but it's a brilliant group for us," said Fallon. "Nothing is impossible in football and I believe we can finish second and get through to the next round.

"Italy have already won the group so the battle is for second place. I'm certainly not saying we will beat Italy, but we've got a very good chance against the other two.

"Even Italy could have a bad day, we have a great day, and end up winning. That's football - a funny old game. There are always upsets.

"Senegal beat France and Cameroon beat Argentina ... you see these sort of upsets all the time in England, in FA Cup games and things, where lower league teams beat premier league teams.

"After the World Cup draw there were texts flying around between the boys and we are buzzing. Italy will believe they have the easiest group and that also means a massive chance for us.

"Everything will have to be spot on, we will have to train well, and hope no one gets injured. If we have a full team we can do it."

Fallon played in an All Whites formation including fellow front men Chris Killen and Shane Smeltz in the draw and win over Bahrain.

"You go out to do the job you have been set to do but I felt more comfortable in the second game in Wellington," he said. "I played a left wing kind of role in Bahrain whereas I prefer leading the line.

"It suited my game a lot more in Wellington - I got a lot of joy that day leading the line. But it is Ricki Herbert's decision where I play."