Soccer: The All Whites are facing the big boys

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Next week's Confederations Cup is a big deal for countries such as New Zealand and Colombia who did not play in last year's World Cup.

It is the chance for soccer nations to represent their respective confederations and pick up a fair dollop of prizemoney.

New Zealand Soccer has already agreed their players will receive 40 per cent of any money won. And with all countries assured of a minimum of $1.5 million, this will mean a $600,000 return to the players.

Hosts France are back to defend the title they won in Yokohama two years ago, making the most of their home advantage as they attempt to shrug off the memories of their World Cup flop.

They have their most experienced international, captain Marcel Desailly, to lead the way to an expected final showdown with Brazil in what would be a rare clash of the nations at one and two on Fifa's rankings.

New Zealand have it all before them.

It's a daunting challenge, but one coach Mick Waitt and his 23 All Whites are keenly looking forward to.

"It will be the biggest challenge for all of us," said Waitt, who was Ken Dugdale's assistant four years ago in Mexico when New Zealand played at this level for the first time.

"But this is what we play the game for, the chance to be on the same pitch as the world's best."

For the players there is the added incentive of trying to win contracts with European or other clubs.

Ryan Nelsen, Simon Elliott, Michael Utting and perhaps even Gerard Davis and Mark Burton would need only strong showings in Paris or Lyon to catch the eye of the scouts who will be falling over themselves at the 11-day, 16-match tournament.

For others, those on the "wrong side of 30," captain Chris Zoricich, Vaughan Coveny, John Batty and Chris Jackson, the cup represents the chance to bring down the curtain on careers which between them have accumulated more than 260 internationals.

Waitt, understandably, has his sights set on emulating Australia in reaching the top four.

To do that, the All Whites must target their first two games, against Japan and Colombia.

Japan, under new coach Zico, are the reigning Asian champions, having beaten South Korea 1-0 to retain their ranking as the top Asian country.

Colombia, with coach Francisco Maturana back at the helm (for his fourth stint), played in three successive World Cup finals before missing out in 2002.

They won the Copa America in 2001 and with it the ticket to this Confederations Cup.

The South American representatives will be strong defensively, but could again struggle on attack.

New Zealand's last game is the one they are most looking forward to, a first-ever clash with the excellent French side at the daunting Stade de France in Paris.

The real satisfaction is in just being there and with the Socceroos at home still wondering just what went wrong.

* New Zealand's matches are being shown live on Sky Television. They play Japan at 4am next Thursday (NZ time), Colombia two days later at 5am and France on June 23 at 7am.


Previous Results

New Zealand at 1999 Confederations Cup:

United States 2 New Zealand 1 (Chris Zoricich).

Germany 2 New Zealand 0.

Brazil 2 New Zealand 0.

THE ALL WHITES SQUAD GOALKEEPERS

Jason Batty (Caversham) 32 years, 55 caps.

Mark Paston (Napier City Rovers) 26, 1.

Michael Utting (Football Kingz) 33, 16.

DEFENDERS

Gerard Davis (off contract) 25, 24.

Danny Hay (Walsall FC, England) 28, 17.

David Mulligan (Barnsley, England) 21, 8.

Ryan Nelsen (DC United, US) 25, 26.

Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew, US) 25, 7.

Scott Smith (Kingstonian, England) 28, 32.

Gavin Wilkinson (Portland Timbers, US) 29, 34.

Chris Zoricich (Newcastle United, Australia) 33, 74 (captain).

MIDFIELD

Mark Burton (Football Kingz) 29, 31.

Raf de Gregorio (Football Kingz) 26, 14.

Simon Elliott (LA Galaxy, US) 29, 47.

Noah Hickey (Tampere United, Finland) 25, 18.

Chris Jackson (Football Kingz) 32, 70.

Arran Lines (Ruch Chorzow, Poland) 26, 29.

Ivan Vicelich (Roda JC, Holland) 26, 45.

STRIKERS

Kris Bouckenooghe (KSK Ronse, Belgium) 26, 27.

Vaughan Coveny (South Melbourne, Australia) 31, 62.

Chris Killen (Oldham Athletic, England) 21, 19.

Shane Smeltz (Adelaide City Force) 21, 3.

Michael Wilson (Stanford University, US) 22, 0.

Coach: Mick Waitt.

Assistant coach: Ricki Herbert.