In time, this may come to be known as the Massacre at the Azteca.
Our soccer writers answer three key questions following the All Whites' 5-1 defeat to Mexico.
Herald on Sunday journalist Michael Burgess answers three key questions about the All Whites World Cup playoff match against Mexico tomorrow morning.
The All Whites play their crucial World Cup qualifying match against Mexico at 9.30 this morning. Michael Burgess gives us reasons to be afraid - and to hope.
The All Whites won't have to deal with Manchester United star Javier Hernandez today - but the reason for his absence is far more complicated than meets the eye.
In the final part of our series, Steven Holloway investigates what New Zealand Football has done with past World Cup winnings and what it might do, fingers crossed, with a bumper payday in six days' time.
The All Whites will face an extra Mexican player in the form of 105,000 screaming fans at the Azteca Stadium today.
When it comes to the Azteca Stadium, you can believe the hype.
The flight into Mexico City was enough to underscore the complexity and deep divisions within the Mexican football scene.
Every All White will have a target on his back today but Glen Moss is the man who will be copping the most.
Former All Whites captain Danny Hay would like to see Ricki Herbert's men flood the midfield today to cut down Mexico's attacking options.
Win, lose or draw, today's kick-around at Estadio Azteca will be the most intense football experience of the All Whites' lives.
In the case of a sporting miracle today, where the All Whites achieve a draw or even win, special plans have be put in place to ensure the team's safety for the rest of their stay in Mexico City.
The torture is over for Mexico's football fans, confident new coach Miguel Herrera says.
You have to fear for the All Whites. Not because they might lose on Thursday, but because they might not. Do they have an evacuation plan?
The All Whites' starting XI against Mexico is set to include two players who don't have clubs.
Marco Rojas required heavy police protection to break through the defences of a large press pack as the All Whites arrived in Mexico City tonight.
Jeremy Christie knows it is far from ideal.
OPINION: The pressure is on All Whites coach Ricki Herbert as he faces the most crucial selection conundrum of his career.
Simon Elliott believes Mexico's massive home crowd could turn into the All Whites' trump card tomorrow.
The Azteca Stadium, where the All Whites face Mexico tomorrow, is an arena every player wants to play in but it is also a place of physical and mental suffering.
The Football Ferns have surprised everyone this year but themselves.
As the All Whites enter Mexico, there are serious security concerns over what could unfold over the next 72 hours, with some players privately questioning if New Zealand Football has done enough to ensure their safety.
The country’s prolific national striker Benjamin Totori has been shortlisted as one of the nominees for the OFC Player of the year for 2012.
Any of the top three teams in New Zealand football's national league would be competitive with professional clubs in the bottom half of the A-League table.
As football's popularity among junior players in New Zealand continues to rise, parents are more likely than ever to hear the words 'I want to be a professional footballer'.
Matt Ridenton was probably much like many other youngsters growing up in that he dabbled in plenty of different sports.
New Zealand can once again take a place at soccer's grandest table if they get past Mexico in their qualifying playoff. Victory will mean a third appearance in the finals, and the second in back-to-back tournaments.
The All Whites could take the field on Thursday with a radically reshaped defensive unit.
Bienvenidos 'El Marcito'. His recent lack of match play means he may not even take the field on Thursday but Marco Rojas is already 'world famous' in Mexico.
Yellow is everywhere they look, but the All Whites are doing their best to ignore the perilous card situation.
The All Whites have been advised not to leave their team hotel in Mexico City because of security concerns ahead of Thursday's World Cup playoff.
His home is the football pitch, not in front of the camera, but Marco Rojas was nonetheless a Mexican media hit yesterday.
Been there, done that: Rory Fallon isn't remotely afraid about what awaits his All Whites in Thursday's World Cup playoff against Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
It's a sleepy Sunday morning in Los Angeles but the All Whites' Mexican mission is underway.