Heroes Return

Though New Zealand drew – to Paraguay in Polokwane, losing out on a spot in the knockout stage, the team’s “defence was airtight, and goalkeeper Mark Paston was solid on the few difficult chances he had to deal with” wrote New Jersey Star Ledger reporter Colin Stephenson. “New Zealand, 78th in the FIFA world rankings, tied all three of their first round games, getting an injury-time equalizer against Slovakia, then stunning the world with their 1-1 result against Italy, before frustrating the Paraguayans for 9 minutes.” The Times of London’s Tom Dart wrote: “Proof comes with a glance at the group F standings and the realisation that the words ‘New Zealand’ are above ‘Italy’.” While Britain’s Independent said: “New Zealand’s World Cup fairytale came to an end … but they return home better for the experience. They finished above four-time World Cup winners Italy in third place and that does them great credit.”