Pages tagged with: soccer

As New Zealand celebrates its qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we look back to 1981-82, when soccer first seized the country’s imagination. After slogging through an epic qualifying schedule of 15 games, the 'All Whites' took on the best in the world at the 1982 finals in Spain. 

New Zealand’s long road to Spain began on Anzac Day 1981 with a hard-fought 3–3 draw with Australia at Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland.

The New Zealanders were given little hope against their opposition in Group 6, which was dubbed the ‘pool of death’. This group included the cup favourites, Brazil, plus powerful sides from the Soviet Union and Scotland.

Images of the New Zealand All Whites captain Steve Sumner at the finals of the 1982 Soccer World Cup.

The 1981–2 World Cup campaign is undoubtedly the high point of New Zealand's soccer history.

Results from qualifying and finals games played by New Zealand

Chinese players defend their goalmouth against New Zealand at Mount Smart on 3 October 1981.

The programme for the controversial second-round clash with Kuwait at Mount Smart Stadium on 10 October 1981

This is the programme for New Zealand’s first-round match against Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium on 30 May 1981.

The New Zealand squad was photographed at the beginning of their World Cup qualifying campaign in April 1981.