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All Whites react to Tommy Smith's yellow card - Source: Photosport -
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Beyond anyone's wildest dreams and greatest expectations, apart from the players and management themselves that is, is a team who truly do believe they are capable of taking on the world - and they are.
Consecutive draws against Slovakia and Italy have propelled the All Whites into the upper echelon of all-time best-ever New Zealand sporting performances.
Whether greater or not though than the Munich 8, the Montreal hockey heroes, Evers-Swindells, World Cup winning All Blacks/Kiwis or our Beijing cycling pursuit squad is an argument other trainspotters with more time to spare than mine can bother with.
The fact is, undeniably, that the 2010 World Cup All Whites at the very least deserve to be spoken about in the same breath - and forever now they will be.
And being as magnanimous and generous of spirit as we are in this country, yes alright Ozzie, there's even enough glory and goodwill to share some with you too if that's what your sorry lot still think you need.
Call it a victory for Australasia again if you must 'cos, this time, we're so intoxicated in love we don't have time to care!
Make no mistake about the scale of achievement here. This was David vs Goliath in football terms. The reigning world champs against the team ranked No.78 in the world. A side stacked with Serie-A talent playing against one guy who works in a bank for goodness sakes!
Never out-classed nor out-thought or out-fought, to see the Italians reduced to a pathetic, whinging, play-acting, ref-conning rabble was as delightful as the final whistle itself. Perhaps the only time in life when being a fat, hairy, bald, white guy taking your shirt off in public is goddamn cool too!
We were determined, gritty, courageous, proud and ran our bleedin' socks off. The world champions meanwhile behaved (and played) like a bunch of spoiled brats. Stop fannying around New Zealand Football and sign Ricki Herbert up to a long-term contract before it's too late.
This is exactly what sport is designed to do, take us to a place where all your cares seem to vanish away - be it for a moment, a minute, an hour or however long the euphoria lasts.
The dream is still well and truly alive as we now talk seriously about gaining the result against Paraguay Friday morning that might just confirm us into the second round.
What a pity Ryan Nelsen doesn't take the field carrying an oar otherwise it'd be a shoe-in for next year's Halbergs.
Enjoy every single second of this people, what a fantastic day to call yourself a Kiwi.
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