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Auckland's Ivan Vicelich - Source: Photosport -
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All Whites veteran Ivan Vicelich believes that old fashioned team spirit and unity could be crucial in their against the odds battle at the impending 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The evergreen defender has been in various national squads since 1995 but struggles to remember a better team environment.
Vicelich, who won a record 66th international cap against Bahrain in November, told tvnz.co.nz there is a lot to like about the current crop of All Whites
"The spirit [has] always been good but there is something special about this team.
"There has been a progression over four years under Ricki Herbert and we have gone through a lot of ups and downs."
Vicelich pinpointed the first-ever victory on European soil (a 3-1 result over Georgia), the point achieved at the 2009 Confederations Cup against Iraq and obviously the World Cup qualification as particular highlights.
"It is a team that has been built over four years, the players are very close, the team spirit is very high, so things are looking good."
It has been an incredible 12 months for the 33-year defender with an unlikely All Whites comeback as well as being a central part of Auckland City's fairytale run at the FIFA Club World Cup in November.
Dream on
Vicelich is circumspect when asked if the football dream can continue come June in South Africa
"I think we will try to do our best in the first game (against Slovakia) to get a result and from there see how it goes."
After battling the European team, the All Whites will face the might of defending champions Italy (June 21) and the third-ranked South American side Paraguay (June 25th).
Both sides feature world class superstars, especially amongst the strikers and it will be up to Vicelich and co. to stop them.
How do you prepare to face someone like Roque Santa Cruz, the Paraguayan and Manchester City star who is worth NZ$25 million on the open market?
"As a defender you are always playing against the best players in the team - the strikers are known as the best players said a nonplussed Vicelich.
"But he just has two legs and is just another guy and I don't really look at the names that I come up against - I just go and do my best."
Though Vicelich doesn't spend much time in the opposition half, he does admit to a few idle daydreams of a famous headed goal for the country.
"[I've thought about it] from when I was young - there is no reason why it can't happen."
