WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand's football team has gone into lockdown mode by refusing to speak to media upon its return home ahead of the second leg of the World Cup qualifier against Mexico.
New Zealand lost the first leg 5-1 and faces a massive task to turnthe tie around in the second leg.
Coach Ricki Herbert and players pushed past waiting media at Wellington airport, leaving the media liaison staffer to explain that they were tired after the long flight home.
Herbert has coached New Zealand since 2005, getting the team to the 2010 World Cup, but is considered unlikely to retain his position unless the All Whites can pull off a remarkable turnaround in Wednesday's match.
