Soccer: History suggests All Whites are in with a shout

Ryan Nelsen (L) and Simon Elliott celebrate NZ’s win over Australia in 2002. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - Soccer's world ratings and bookmakers confirm New Zealand's status as rank outsiders for tonight's pre-World Cup friendly against Australia at the MCG - but a virtual cricket score is no formality for the Socceroos.

Australia do not expect the All Whites to spoil their send off for South Africa but history suggests New Zealand - ranked a lowly 78 and $11 outsiders - are prone to embarrassing their better-credentialed neighbours at the most opportune moments.

New Zealand has twice prevented Australia - currently ranked 20th by FIFA - qualifying for the sport's global showpiece. They also surprisingly sabotaged two lucrative Confederations Cup campaigns the Socceroos figured were a formality.

The All Whites famously blocked Australia's path to Spain in 1982 and Italy eight years later - and then ended Oceania Nations Cup title bids prematurely in 1999 and 2002.

However, New Zealand has been a thorn in the side of Australia national coaches since the 1970s although the Socceroos have won 38 matches and lost just 13 since transtasman rivalry began in 1922.

In 1973, under Rale Rasic, Australia was only spared humiliation courtesy of a late Ernie Campbell goal in Auckland - they then blew a two-goal lead in the return match in Sydney before the game finished 3-3.

The Socceroos had been expected to qualify for a second World Cup in 1982 until disaster struck at the Sydney Cricket Ground that glorious May afternoon in 1981.

That 2-0 defeat to John Adshead's men, including 22-year-old defender Ricki Herbert, ended the reign of German coach Rudi Gutendorf.

Australia was also perilously close to missing the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Then coach Frank Arok had striker Frank Farina to thank for saving his blushes in an Olympic qualifier at Wellington.

Farina scored soon after appearing as a substitute to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Arok was not so fortunate 12 months later in a World Cup qualifier in Auckland when New Zealand stunned the Socceroos 2-0, ending their prospects to widespread disbelief.

World Cups aside, former coaches Raul Blanco and Farina also experienced angst at the All Whites expense.

Blanco bore the brunt of Australia's 1-0 loss to New Zealand in the Oceania Nations Cup final at Brisbane in 1998 - a defeat that cost the Socceroos a A$1.3 million payday when the All Whites headed to Mexico for the Confederations Cup.

New Zealand qualified for France's edition of the Confederations Cup four years later after beating the Socceroos 1-0, courtesy of current captain Ryan Nelsen's goal in Auckland - the last time New Zealand has beaten their neighbours.

The Australian Soccer Federation also contributed a virtual own goal when refusing to bring back a wealth of overseas-based stars - the All Whites were underestimated at great cost.

- NZPA