Glen Moss: Slovakia was great but we want more
10:36 AM Thursday Jun 17, 2010
All Whites Ryan Nelsen (L), Tommy Smith and goal scorer Winston Reid after the 1-1 draw against Slovakia. Photo / Brett Phibbs
17/06/2010
Serengeti resort,
Johannesburg
After a day of reflecting on our remarkable achievement against Slovakia, it feels like the game was over in a flash.
From the minute I poured the milk over my coco-pops I could feel the energy, perhaps nervous energy, but it was still there from the evening before.
It was a quiet bus trip to the ground, most of the lads with head phones in. When we got to the ground it was a different story - music pumping, buzzing like bees. It always gives me butterflies when I see the all white kit laid out in the locker room, especially when "World Cup 2010" is embroidered on the chest.
I don't need to talk about the game; you shouldn't call yourself a Kiwi if you missed it. The mood was pretty good in the sheds afterwards - no champagne or anything over the top. We know we have made history with the country's greatest ever sporting result but we still have two massive games to plan for.
Rory Fallon and Andy Boyens still got the guitars out and sung us home. Not sure if Eddie Vedder would be happy with our version of his Pearl Jam songs.
We've created history in our first game, now we want to go one step further.
Success is addictive.
MOSSY
As fantastic a result it was im not sure I'd class that as our greatest sporting result.
I think that is a major exaggeration and although this game was up there in terms of it's impact it almost comes across as a little arrogant coming from a member of the team who took part. Snell's efforts definately surpass this result as do the rowing eight's and John Walker's.
Many others would compete with it too. No disrespect to the All Whites I'm with you all the way, I just think it's overstating the game's importance a tad.
A bit far Glen. Stoked for you boys but that is blowing it a bit out of proportion. It is a great result, fantastic for Football in NZ, but it's a little disrespectful to all those other world champions and olympic gold medallists that our fine shores have produced.