It was a fantastic moment for All Whites soccer coach Ricki Herbert when he learned he had become a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) on the New Year's Honours list.
And it was double delight for the only unbeaten coach at this year's World Cup finals in
South Africa to learn that his captain, Ryan Nelsen, had also joined him on the list as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
``It is absolutely fantastic to have got this award -- I'm blown away by it really,'' Herbert, 49, told NZPA.
``I have been in football for a long time, 45 years been playing or coaching in it, so to have something like this is terrific. I feel very proud.''
For Nelsen to have also got an award was significant for the sport.
``It is all a recognition of how far football has come.
``To have gone to the World Cup and be the only side to be undefeated has brought implications as well that have been extremely positive.
``I think New Zealand has been recognised on the world stage in front of millions of people.''
Herbert, who played in the only other time New Zealand qualified for a World Cup finals, in Spain in 1982, masterminded a campaign this year that saw the All Whites go into the tournament ranked 78th and emerge 22nd after they drew 1-1 with defending champions Italy and Slovakia and 0-0 with Paraguay in pool play.
The award was also recognition of the contributions from a lot of people including the loyal and dedicated management he had in the past few years as well as his extended family.
``It touches a lot of people and it's an incredibly proud moment to be recognised at this level. It has been a long journey but a fantastic one as well.''
