Soccer: Year-round playing pitch ready to go

Twenty-five years after he played his part in the All Whites' nerve-racking 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia at the Riyadh National Stadium, popular midfielder Keith "Buzzer" Mackay today gets another chance to play on an artificial soccer pitch.

This afternoon's official opening of the $1 million pitch, adjacent to the main arena at North Harbour Stadium, will give the opportunity for year-round football on a good surface.

Before the official opening, a New Zealand past team will play a present team at 11.45am.