New Zealand manager Ricki Herbert hailed his team's 1-1 World Cup draw with Slovakia as the best result in the nation's football history, before immediately began dreaming of producing something similar against Italy.
Herbert saw full-back Winston Reid score his side's equaliser with a glancing header three minute View more »
By BARRY HATTON Associated Press Writer
RUSTENBURG, South Africa(AP)—Winston Reid didn’t think twice about stripping off his shirt in celebration of his big goal. The yellow card he would receive wasn’t even a consideration.
“It probably was the most important goal of my life,” Reid said View more »
New Zealand snatch a point in dramatic circumstances in injury time...
New Zealand claimed their first ever World Cup finals point with a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time from defender Winston Reid with just seconds remaining on the clock.
Slovakia had thought they had done just enough to win after Robert Vitte View more »
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss has admitted the World Cup pressure is on his starlet son as his team prepares to meet New Zealand in their opening World Cup encounter in the Royal Bafokeng stadium.
Weiss junior, 20, who was on loan at Bolton from Manchester City for the latter part of last season, will almost certainly View more »
Influential midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes he will be fit to play in Italy's final group game of the World Cup finals against Slovakia.
The 31-year-old was this week described as "irreplaceable" by Italy boss Marcello Lippi, but is set to miss at least the opening two games of the Azzurri's World Cup defence.
View more »
Martin Skrtel is expected to be fit for Slovakia's opening World Cup match against New Zealand.
Skrtel was substituted early in the 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica on Saturday, prompting fears he would miss the tournament with an ankle problem. However, scans showed the injury was not as serious as first thought, View more »
Ricki Herbert claims World Cup group opponents Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay should underestimate New Zealand at their peril in South Africa.
The All Whites departed for the republic on Saturday ready for their first taste of the World Cup finals since 1982 and despite a last-gasp defeat to Australia in Melbourne, View more »
Martin Skrtel is breathing a sigh of relief after learning an ankle injury will not keep him out of the World Cup.
The Liverpool defender limped out of Slovakia's 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica after only 16 minutes on Saturday and was then taken to hospital for scans. But Skrtel has been told he needs only a fe View more »
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP)—Robert Vittek and Stanislav Sestak scored a goal each Saturday to lead Slovakia to a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica despite an injury to key defender Martin Skrtel in a World Cup warmup match.
Douglas Sequeira’s own-goal gave Slovakia the lead in the 16th minute. The Costa Rica defen View more »
Slovakia striker Erik Jendrisek believes his country's opening Group F clash with New Zealand could hold the key to their World Cup hopes.
The two sides meet in Rustenburg on June 15 before both face reigning champions Italy and South American qualifiers Paraguay as they attempt to fight their way into the second View more »