All Whites satisfied with World Cup draw

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 5:39p.m.

By Di O’Connell

The All Whites now know who they will meet at the World Cup in South Africa next year. They’ll take on World Champions Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay.

Even though the All Whites will be very small fish in the World Cup’s big pond – at least they’re not in the pool of death.

“I think we’re pretty satisfied – it could have been a lot worse, but we’ll take those teams,” says All Whites Midfielder Tim Brown.

“I was firmly in the camp of, ‘let’s get the easiest possible situation’, and ‘let’s get the best chance’ – I think we’re pretty close to that.”

“Most people will write us off, and we’re fine by that. Underdogs – we’re okay with that,” says All Whites Goalkeeper Mark Paston.

But the All Whites have more to celebrate than neighbours Australia. Group D’s Germany, Serbia and Ghana are a tough draw. But England should be happiest with arguable the tournament’s easiest group.

They have also avoided the so-called ‘group of death – Group G with Brazil, top twenty African side Cote d’lvoir, Portugal and North Korea back for their first final since 1966.

Now they know their opponents, the build up intensifies. The team is likely to play European sides in May, and also a South American side in preparation for their match against Paraguay.

“I think they’re going to be the danger team for us, they play a different style of football,” says All Whites Defender Ben Sigmund.

“But we’re just going to have to get our game plan right and take it to them.”

Anything is possible now that they have qualified, but only South Africa and North Korea are ranked below the Kiwis at the 32 nation tournament.

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