Pretoria - New Zealand is the lowest ranked team in the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup, however there is no telling what the 2008 Oceania Nations Cup (OFC) winner will be capable of.
New Zealand will play against the Euro 2008 winners Spain in their opening encounter of the Confederations Cup at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium at 8:30pm on 14 June.
Earlier on the same day, South Africa will lock horns with Iraq at the Coca Cola Park in Johannesburg at 4pm.
Despite at times displaying monotonous football skills, New Zealand poses a threat to both the host South Africa and the unpredictable Asian champs, Iraq.
However, the team's coach, Ricky Herbert may attempt to make an impression during the tournament through the side's star player and Celtic striker, Chris Killen, 27.
Players that will make up the 23-man squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup will include goalkeepers, James Banattyne, Glen Moss and Mark Paston. The defenders on the squad will consist of Andrew Boyens, Tony Lochhead, David Mulligan, Steve Old, Aaron Scott, Ben Sigmund and Ivan Vicelich.
The midfielders will be made up of Andrew Barron, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Jeremy Christie, Simon Elliot, Chris James and Duncan Oughton. Strikers: Kris Bright, Jeremy Brockie, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Jarrod Smith and Chris Wood.
Nicknamed the All Whites, New Zealand has won the OFC Nations Cup four times, in 1973, 1998, 2002 and 2008. The national team's nickname is in contrast with the rugby team, the All Blacks.
New Zealand has competed in one FIFA World Cup in Spain in 1982 and in two Confederations Cups - Mexico in 1999 and France in 2003 respectively.
In each of these tournaments, the All Whites have failed to progress past the first round according to soccernet.espn.go.com.
The New Zealanders will play against South Africa on 17 June at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg at 8:30pm.
They will also play against Iraq at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on 20 June at 8:30pm.
