1998 ONC/1999 Confeds Cup

With the AWs qualifying stumbling into another Confederations Cup, we might as well walk down memory lane, avoid any speed camera vans, and chew the fat over the time the team first made the Confeds Cup.

My memories - I don't remember anything of the group games of the 1998 ONC, but according to Wikipedia we squeaked past Tahiti, tonked Vanuatu, and then Danny Hay scored in the 88th minute to give us a resounding 1-0 over Fiji in the semis.

What I do remember is the 20 minute or so package that was on Sunday afternoons TV One Sport, most likely fronted by Geoff Bryant....we had a team that featured a previously not-really know (uncapped?) Mark Burton and Aaran Lines. I don't know how strong the Aussie team was, but fair call to think they were favourites at home (Brisbane)

I think it was a scrappy game (duh) - I remember thinking there wasn't much of a crowd, but Wiki says 12,000.......wasn't our goal (we won 1-0, spoiler!) a bit of a long ball punt up the field, Ngata sort of miscontrolled it, and Burts slotted it away? Anyway, cue celebrations and we're off to Mexico!

I was working in Mt Wellington in 98, and the NZF offices weren't far away - I was wearing my AWs shirt, and I went into the portacom that NZF had - Harry and Burts were in there, and I said congratulations and shook their hands. I always regret that I never thought of getting them to sign my shirt!

The buildup the team had to Mexico was just ludicrous. We complain about no games now, but in 1999 the AWs played a shark ton of matches, which was great, but they were flung out all over the world - it just seemed like a logistical meltdown. Thailand, Oman, Singapore, Malaysia....then onto Central America.

Anyway, on to Mexico. I tried to talk a friend (who is a bit of a tight arse) into going to Guadalajarrrrrra, but he piked out. That first game against the USA was played during the week - I was contracting to HP at the time, and was always on the road.....so I was trying to listen to updates on 1332AM. I even tried to call the helpline at my work to see if they knew the score! Kris Bookenhooghe played up front, but I'm sure he wasn't a striker? I always thought he was a midfielder......the Mexican fans booed the Americans (naturally) and cheered NZ. Chris Zoricich scored an absolute belter of a free kick, but too little too late. Lose 1-2.

Germany in the next round at the Azteca. This game I have no memory off really, apart from the Germans played in green and completely outplayed us. Jason Batty started in goal as Utts was disciplined for a late night out. Wasn't there someone else in the same boat?

And then the biggie - Brazil! Nelsen crashed a header against the bar (or just over), Lines duffed a right footed shot.....Ronaldinho scored a great free kick. Losing 0-2 to Brazil (albeit a weak Brazil) is no great shame.

I think we had a great tournament by NZs standards - I wish Tinoi Christie played. I think he travelled to Mexico but wasn't even in the squad. What was that about? I was a bit of a Tinoi fan, he could provide an x-factor that would be hard for others to replicate. Still, maybe Duggers saw him as a luxury player....who knows.....

Will wait a few days before starting a 2003 thread - but what do y'all remember of this time? Did any forum members go along to Guadalajara/Mexico City?

Yeah I remember that tournament. From memory we had a good penalty shout in the Germany game, maybe on Aaron Lines? Both Germany and Brazil sent very understrength sides, but we held our own reasonably well against them.

The Zoricich screamer @ 3:30 mark here

We will have a better squad in 2017 and will score some goals!

I remember going to the Nations cup and watching those games.  Was great to actually see NZ playing USA, Germany and Brazil on tv as there was very little NZ related content on the box then.

I think the Kingz were instrumental in us being lucky enough now to see the AWs, Ferns, Nix, A -League and NZ Premier/NZFC regularly on the box in some fashion and many players from this AW team would make up future Kingz squads.

I'll never forget Zoricich's goal. One of the very best NZ has ever scored.

Ive got dvd copies of the ONC Final and the 99 Confed Cup!

I remember watching the 1-0 win over Aussie on tv. Played in Brisbane i think. Their coach was the Aussie guy Herbert brought in to help with 2010 WC qualification. Forget his name. Raoul Blanco?

I remember there were Aussie commentators on tv that day and they spent most of the game talking about how the AW's were the better side. It was an Aussie side without their overseas stars, they got slagged in their own media after losing the game because of their arrogance in thinking they could beat NZ with a B team.

I also remember the Aussies had a very good penalty appeal turned down in the last few minutes when an AW defender made and absolute butchers challenge on an Aussie striker.

I also have a great memory of Mark Atkinson flicking the ball over his own head and spinning away from a brazlian defender and the cheers of Ole from the Mexican crowd. 

Afternoon all, apologies for the delay in getting this stuff uploaded, hope these bring back some memories :)

and here's the 3 matches from Mexico:

Couple of the build up games to Mexico - some nice stuff!

Mate your youtube channel is awesome! Loving it.