Odds of New Zealand winning the FIFA World Cup 2010
New Zealand, the solo qualifying team from Oceania, will face three difficult group stage matches. Being placed in Group F with far better ranked teams the kiwis will need to produce a miracle in order to progress to the round of 16. Nicknamed, All Whites, New Zealand have appeared just once in the FIFA World Cup back in 1982. With exactly two weeks left in the World Cup 2010 to start in South Africa. Team New Zealand is listed at 1500/1 futures odds to win the World Cup. They are 66/1 to win Group F.
Luck favoured the kiwis when they needed it the most. Without an overwhelming amount of talent, the All Whites were able to clinch a berth as Australia was placed in the competitive Asian region. The qualification course started with a tournament at the 2007 South Pacific Games. New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu, the top 3 teams joined New Zealand in a 4-team group at the OFC Nations Cup. Unlike the previous edition of OFC, where 10 teams had contested, this time there were only 4 nations competing for a World Cup qualifying play-off with the AFC 5th-palced side. As a result of the AFC-OFC playoff, New Zealand, who defeated Bahrain, managed to bag a place in the list of World Cup playing nations.
After a gap of 26 years New Zealand will be taking field in their opening match against Slovakia on June 15 in Rustenburg. Both teams are yet to register a title to their name but Slovakia hold the edge, with 8 appearances, over New Zealand’s lone feature in the 1982 World Cup.
The Kiwis lost to the Australians in a warm up match on Monday, 24th may. The All Whites took the Soccerroos to task as a goal, in the 16th minute, by Chris killen put the visitors ahead. However, second half efforts from Dario Vidosic and Brett Holman saw team Australia victorious at the end.
While lack of experience and star performers are the key credentials this team does not possess. Yet, the entire nation is backing their countrymen in white jerseys. It would be unfair to associate traits such as fame and skill with this football country but the devoted supporters and die hard fans are hoping that their team puts up a good show if not an extraordinary one.
Many of New Zealand’s international players make their domestic living in the MLS or playing for college in the United States, but one key name is showing off his skills to fine use in the English Premiership League. Ryan Nelson, New Zealand Captain, is spending time with Blackburn Rovers. His performance was a huge basis for their spot in the World Cup putting in a strong effort in both home and away matches during their play-off against Bahrain for the right to venture to South Africa this summer. There is no doubt his play will need to be at an all-time best if his side expects anything but three losses in June.
Other players to keep an eye on are Tim brown, Chris Killen and Rory Fallon. Tim Brown is the vice captain of The All Whites and has played 11 of the 14 national matches as a midfielder. He also captained the side in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009. Chris Killen plays as a striker for Middlesbrough, his experience will be beneficial for the team.
With most of New Zealand’s players not spread out in Europe or the rest of the world’s top leagues, the opposing teams certainly will not have a ton of footage or accurate survey reports on them. The World Cup makes every team scout thoroughly. New Zealand might possibly be the only team to float under the radar and this is a huge asset.
Besides North Korea, New Zealand is by far the weakest team in the field. They do not enjoy any audacious offensive talents. The aforementioned Nelson is an exception, and you would be hard-pressed to see anything but three losses and the All Whites being beleaguered in South Africa.
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