Chris Wood: All Whites can follow Iceland inspiration

Chris Wood leaves behind Jorys Mene. New Zealand All Whites v New Caledonia. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

The All Whites want to be like Iceland.

Ahead of their first game at the Confederations Cup against Russia on Sunday (NZT), All Whites captain Chris Wood admits that the small European nation have provided a template for underdogs at major tournaments.

Iceland were big outsiders at last year's European Championships in France but became the Cinderella story. They went through the group phase unbeaten - including a 1-1 draw with eventual champions Portugal in their first match- before a stunning upset of England, laden with Premier League stars, in the second round.

Their success was based on a simple game plan and tactics, supreme levels of fitness and an unyielding collective spirit.

Like the All Whites, their team was drawn from a small base, with players spread across the globe and Wood hopes the similarities don't end there.

"Yeah definitely," said Wood, when asked if Iceland were an inspiration. "Iceland had a great campaign last year and tournaments are full of that, full of teams stepping up, going to the next level as a nation and we are the same, we want to do that."

"We want to show on the world stage that we are meant to be here and there are more than enough capabilities in this team to do the job."

However, the All Whites will be even greater outsiders than Iceland were in France. The New Zealand side has drawn arguably the toughest group here, with each of their opponents having a lot to prove.

The host nation is under pressure to claim a rare tournament success, while Portugal are still basking in their unprecedented European glory and are making their Confederations Cup debut. And Mexico, like most Central and South American nations, always prioritise such Fifa tournaments.

But Wood - and coach Anthony Hudson - maintain their belief that something special is brewing inside the New Zealand camp.

"The objective for us was to come here and do something significant, do something that no other New Zealand team has done before and that hasn't changed," said Hudson. "We feel very optimistic coming into this tournament.

"There is no point in us being here if we are just going to show up and enjoy the occasion. I can assure you we are not coming here to do that."

The All Whites cancelled their final training session today, partly for logistical reasons (it was scheduled in another part of St Petersburg) and also because Hudson felt the team had done enough.

They completed preparations with a short walk around the pitch at the imposing Krestovsky stadium, before returning to their hotel.

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