The New Zealand football team, the All Whites, has had a good result in their first World Cup game against Slovakia. The All Whites were not expected to do very well as they are only 78th in the world while Slovakia is 34th, but they scored a goal 30 seconds before the end of the match, for a 1-1 draw.
The football World Cup is held every four years and this year it is in South Africa, with 32 teams competing. The All Whites are there because they beat Bahrain last year to represent the Pacific area, called Oceania. The last time the All Whites played in the World Cup competition was in 1982, where they lost every game.
More than 500 football fans have travelled from New Zealand to support the All Whites in South Africa. All the games are being broadcast on television so Kiwis who cannot go to South Africa can watch their team on tv, just like millions of other football fans all over the world.
The next two games for the All Whites will be difficult, as they are against Italy, who won the cup last year, and Paraguay, who are number 31 in the world. However New Zealand football fans are already very proud of their team’s performance in South Africa and will continue to support them, shouting “Go the All Whites!”
Contributed by Chris Mahoney
Questions
1. If a rubgy test match was on at the same time as an All Whites game in the Word Cup, what game would most New Zealanders watch?
2. Is your country playing in the football World Cup? Are you able to watch the games on tv?
3. Do you think games should be decided by a penalty shoot-out?
4. Why are people so excited by football?