The year 2010 will be the one that enters the annals of New Zealand football history but 2009 was the breakthrough year, writes Michael Brown.

Rugby has dominated New Zealand sport for 130 years, but the mould may have been broken in 2009.

Auckland City's fifth placing at the Club World Cup soccer tournament has brought a US$1.5 million ($2.09 million) windfall for the sport.

Auckland City and Waitakere United continued their unbeaten start to the New Zealand Football Championship season.