When the Spanish team emerged from underneath the grandstand, more than 2000 school children erupted and 50 Spanish media were there to capture it all.
It was nothing new to the players. They do, after all, go by names like Torres or Puyol, Fabregas or Cassius and adulation is part
of the job description.
About 50km away, the All Whites were going through a leisurely recovery session. There was one South African TV crew and a handful of disinterested-looking officials there. And the ubiquitous police escort.
Teams don't go anywhere without police.
The All Whites might have scored three goals against Italy in a 4-3 defeat just 12 hours previously but it didn't mean they were suddenly centre of attention.
Even in an eight-team competition, New Zealand are near the bottom of the ladder. It's just the natural order.
Most here, though, knew what they achieved against the world champions.
Few teams lead Italy for 68 minutes, let alone score three goals, even if it was only a "training game" as Italy coach Marcello Lippi said.
"They made it difficult for Italy," Spanish midfielder Mata said of the All Whites at a press conference marked by squabbling between Spanish media and team management about Spain's refusal to comment on Ronaldo's proposed move to real Madrid.
"For a team to score three goals against a defensive team like Italy, their offence must be good. We have to be careful of them and play well against them."
Moderately well ought to be good enough. Spain are both the European champions and the world's No 1-ranked side and they have also been unbeaten in 32 matches dating back to 2006.
But there just might be more respect shown to the All Whites than might have been there previously.
South Africa and Iraq, the other two teams in New Zealand's pool, will definitely have taken notice.
"I'm sure the teams we will play will look at things differently now," All Whites striker Shane Smeltz said. "It's good for us but probably not good for us because teams will look at us a little more closely.
"We have to take confidence from that [performance against Italy] and we were disappointed not to get something from the game having scored three goals against one of the best teams in the world. It's good to know we can score goals against the best sides."
Scoring is something Smeltz is hardly struggling with at present.
Most strikers are usually happy with an average of a goal every second game. The 27-year-old now has 12 goals in his last 10 internationals.
Admittedly, many came against weaker opposition but it is a remarkable return for a player who only two years ago was playing non-league football in England.
His goal against Italy, when he headed home powerfully from the penalty spot, was world-class.
"I was over the moon at the time," he said. "I just had to contain myself because there was plenty of time left in the game. Playing a team like Italy is a dream for anyone."
There aren't many who say the same about playing New Zealand. But the All Whites are working on it.
* Michael Brown is in Rustenburg for the Herald on Sunday
NZ striker Shane Smeltz, R, battles for the ball against Italy's Luca Toni. Photo / AP
When the Spanish team emerged from underneath the grandstand, more than 2000 school children erupted and 50 Spanish media were there to capture it all.
It was nothing new to the players. They do, after all, go by names like Torres or Puyol, Fabregas or Cassius and adulation is part
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.