Two issues surrounding the All Whites are of little concern to me on the day of their do-or-die World Cup qualifier against Mexico.
Tonight's big game is almost certainly Ricki Herbert's last in charge of the All Whites.
Tonight we find out if the kids are alright.
With few exceptions, New Zealand’s national team is comprised of players from overseas leagues, or with Wellington Phoenix - the country's only professional team - in Australia’s A-League.
While something like 99.99 percent* (math not verified) of the American soccer-loving public has been glued to Mexico’s World Cup qualification near-flameout, a very select group has been tuned to those other guys El Tri are facing in their playoff.
All Whites winger Marco Rojas and retired Football Ferns defender Rebecca Smith have been crowned the Oceania footballers of the year.
After more than eight years in charge of the New Zealand national men’s side, Ricki Herbert announced on Tuesday he would be stepping down as coach of the All Whites at the conclusion of the team’s 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign.
If the All Whites can't achieve the near-impossible with a big win over Mexico at Westpac Stadium tomorrow night, it will be coach Ricki Herbert's last game in charge.
Former internationals Tim Brown and Mark Paston will speak to the All Whites tonight as Ricki Herbert's side searches for inspiration ahead of the second leg of their intercontinental playoff against Mexico in Wellington tomorrow.
All Whites’ goalkeeper Glen Moss believes the second leg of the FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff with Mexico on Wednesday gives the New Zealand side a chance to show what they’ve learned in quick time.
The All Whites might be facing a huge task in the second leg against Mexico on Wednesday night but if they're looking for motivation they just need to look at the last time they played a playoff match in Wellington.
All Whites’ captain Tommy Smith has outlined a fresh attitude for his team ignited by two key desires ahead of the second leg of the FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff with Mexico.
All Whites goalie who plays with his head, not his heart, says he won't be so busy against Mexico this time
Playing in the awful 5-1 loss to Mexico was enough for the All Whites. They haven't watched a replay as they build towards tomorrow's second leg of their playoff in Wellington.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
After being overlooked for the Costa Rican national side for the past two years, Wellington Phoenix's Carlos Hernandez says he's using Tuesday's clash with Australia to earn a ticket to Brazil.
Central Coast midfielder Michael McGlinchey declared that New Zealand has a point to prove to its own fans as it attempts to cause the mother of all upsets against Mexico.
When Wanderers SC registered their initial point in the ASB Premiership at the weekend, it was the perfect time to inquire as to the point of their initials.
For a bloke who is prolific in front of goal for the Wellington Phoenix, Jeremy Brockie's goal drought for the All Whites is verging on remarkable.
Marco Rojas has his fingers crossed for a starting spot and a different gameplan as the All Whites prepare to go on the attack on Wednesday.
Two rounds into the ASB Premiership season and it's business as usual at the front end of the competition.
During early negotiations in planning for coverage of Wednesday's World Cup soccer qualifying game, Mexican television wanted to reconfigure Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
While their World Cup hopes are all but over, the All Whites are vowing to "put on a show" and restore national pride in Wednesday's return leg against Mexico in Wellington.
We now know what Mexico had at stake. The price of failing against the All Whites and not progressing to the World Cup has been estimated to be as high as US$1 billion ($1.2 billion).
New Zealand Football will need to offer a salary of at least $350,000 to attract an experienced, quality overseas candidate to replace Ricki Herbert.
Marco Rojas hopes to start in Wellington on Wednesday - and if the All Whites are to have any chance of redemption, he probably should.
Ricki Herbert is almost certain to conclude as All Whites coach at the end of this campaign but there is a strong possibility he will remain in a role at New Zealand Football.
All Whites great Steve Sumner has backed Ricki Herbert's claim he hasn't been given enough credit for the 2010 World Cup success and says his reaction shows he's "up for the fight" in Wednesday's rematch in Wellington.
New Zealand Football is expected to advertise for a new All Whites coach, with chairman Frank van Hattum describing Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Wellington as the end of an era.
After being run off the pitch 5-1 by Mexico on Thursday, the All Whites were apparently worn out by their extensive media commitments and travel itinerary during the first leg of their intercontinental playoff too.
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has an open mind around who will make up his starting side for Wednesday's second leg of their intercontinental playoff against Mexico at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
A season that began disappointingly for Wellington Phoenix youngster Louis Fenton took a massive upturn today when he was called into the All Whites squad for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Westpac Stadium.
All Whites' captain Tommy Smith believes the blueprint for an improved showing in the second leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup playoff in Wellington next week lies in the shift his side put in during the second half in Mexico on Thursday.
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has defended his strategy in the 5-1 defeat against Mexico today, saying the ultra defensive tactics were the right approach in the circumstances.
In the aftermath of the "Azteca Massacre", a defiant Ricki Herbert is considering another World Cup campaign, and wonders if there is "anyone better" to take on the role, should he step aside as previously planned.