All whites dreaming big
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert is confident that his players will not be struck by first night nerves as they seek to make World Cup history against Slovakia on Tuesday.
The All Whites are appearing in the finals for only the second time and, having lost all three matches in Spain in 1982, are still looking for a first point on football's biggest stage.
"There are a few nerves, a sense of anticipation," admitted Herbert. "But that is not a bad thing. The players are very focused on what they have to do."
Regarded as one of the weakest squads in the tournament, New Zealand will have their work cut out containing a talented Slovakia side that is making its first appearance in the finals as an independent nation.
But a surprise friendly win over Serbia in the build-up to the tournament was proof that Herbert's squad can get the better of more technically gifted opponents.
Herbert's options have been restricted by the loss of bustling midfielder Tim Brown, who will not be risked against the Slovakians as he completes his recovery from shoulder surgery at the end of May but should be available for the second group game against Italy.
In Brown's absence, defender Ivan Vicelich is expected to bolster central midfield and will share responsibility for keeping tabs on Slovakia's captain and playmaker, Marek Hamsik, with fellow veteran Simon Elliott.
Slovakia, who qualified by topping a group that included highly-rated neighbours the Czech Republic and fellow qualifiers Slovenia, go into the match quietly confident of starting their campaign with a win.
As well as Hamsik, the dangermen for Slovakia are striker Stanislav Sestak, who plays in the Bundesliga for VfL Bochum, and Miroslav Stoch, a winger who has just been sold by Chelsea to Turkish giants Fenerbahce after a succesful season on loan at Dutch champions FC Twente.
THE KNOWLEDGE
New Zealand's only previous World Cup appearance saw them lose all three games in 1982 by at least three goals.
Slovakia are competing in their first-ever World Cup finals tournament.
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