World Cup 2010: New Zealand

World Cup 2010: NEW ZEALAND

FIFA ranking: 79

Overall World Cup record: 0-3-0

Coach: Ricki Herbert

Best performance: First round, 1982

Overview: The outmanned Kiwis, back in the World Cup finals after a 28-year absence, are led by fullback Ryan Nelson, who has proved his ability in a long career with Blackburn of the English Premier League, and former Galaxy midfielder Simon Elliott. Shane Smeltz, the top scorer in the Australian A League, is probably the best of the rest on Coach Ricki Herbert’s shallow roster.

-- Kevin Baxter