At a glance

statistic of Italy’s 23 shots to three, New Zealand had shocked the world’s fifth-ranked team with a 1-1 draw.

As Steve Braunias wrote later in the Sunday Star-Times: ‘‘Rome doesn’t burn in a day – it took 90 minutes for the empire to fall into a smoking heap’’.

Post-game recollections were hazy as deadline loomed – New Zealand’s newspapers had stayed open to 3am to get the result in their final editions, reflecting the fixture’s importance.

The sight, however, of Herbert and assistant-coach Brian Turner celebrating remains an abiding memory. It was clear a circle had been completed. The passionate pair were players in the 1982 team, the only other New Zealanders to play on world football’s biggest stage. Now, they – and on-field leaders Nelsen and Elliott – had steered the 2010 squad to the greatest result in New Zealand football history.

The Kiwi crowd – many shirtless in the Nelspruit sunset – mobbed the players at the fence-line, then spilled out of the stadium, backs slapped by South Africans, for a boisterous bus ride home, followed by all-night celebrations in Jo’burg.

John Key, was pitchside, as prime ministers invariably are, to congratulate Herbert and Nelsen – and pose for photographers.

A beaming Herbert was the last man to leave the media zone, telling all and sundry ‘‘everyone will be talking about this’’.

De Rossi didn’t linger as long. Cornered by the Kiwi press crew, demanding ‘‘did you dive?’’, the Roman schemer kept a straight face: ‘‘You say that, I deny it’’.

Nelsen – later named in ESPN’s World Cup Best XI – had plenty to say, escaping official censure despite stating Batres had been ‘‘conned’’ and had ‘‘ruined the game. If that’s one of the best referees Fifa have, gee whizz I’d hate to see their worst’’.

Then, Nelsen expressed the sentiment the football world was feeling. ‘‘New Zealand is like everyone’s second team now . . . it’s a real Cinderella story.’’

Next day, everyone wanted to go to the ball. As the All Whites – the 2010 Halberg Awards Team of the Year – prepared for a final pool play showdown with Paraguay, the international media descended on their Serengeti Estate base to tell the feel-good story of the 2010 World Cup.

In part two of this series in the Sunday Star-Times and Sunday News tomorrow, Andrew Voerman will look at where the All Whites team from 2010 went after the World Cup and where they are now.

What:

Where, when:

Result:

Teams: New Zealand:

Italy:

STUFF All Whites striker Rory Fallon is embraced by delighted New Zealand fans after the 1-1 draw with champions Italy that lit up the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Shane Smeltz scores from close range to give the All Whites a shock 1-0 lead. Smeltz was marginally offside, but Italy had luck on their side with their equaliser.

The All Whites’ efforts in South Africa earned the team award at the 2010 Halberg Awards.