The outstanding Football crowd in Christchurch on Saturday night, 20,000 watching the Phoenix defeat Adelaide United for the first time ever, demonstrates that the heart and spirit of the game is very much alive throughout the whole of New Zealand and is getting set for the biggest year ever in our game’s history.

With the Phoenix pushing hard for a play off position which could include a home semi final at Westpac Stadium if they finish 4th by beating Gold Coast and then Central Coast in their final match on February 12, the scene is also set for New Zealand’s most successful ever season in the Australian A League and its predecessor the NSL.

Given the Phoenix are unbeaten in 16 matches at the Cake Tin and the home semi final would most likely be against Newcastle Jets in a one off winner takes all clash, the opportunity is very real for the Phoenix to keep progressing in the play off process with the thought of a Grand Final appearance definitely a possibility and a real tribute to everyone involved in the club.

This A League success also sets the scene for our  huge Football year, particularly the All Whites competing internationally leading through into the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

It would appear that NZF CEO Michael Glading and his team have done a very good job establishing an excellent build up for the All Whites with some great matches against teams like Mexico, Serbia etc plus a quality training camp established at altitude in Austria prior to the big tournament where we get to play Slovakia, current World Cup Champions Italy and Paraguay in our group.

With a great preparation in place and an experienced and committed squad there is absolutely no reason why this All Whites team can’t secure results at this World Cup and they should have the genuine belief that they can qualify for the second round.

A solid defence that was organised and strong enough to stop Bahrain scoring in either qualifying match and also held the then Asian Champions, Iraq, scoreless in a 0-0 draw at the Confederations Cup ( without Ryan Nelsen playing) last year, provides a good platform for the side, a workman like mid field, strong flank play pushing through to a batch of strikers who can score goals offers a lot of promise and should get All White’s fans throughout the world extremely excited leading into the first match in South Africa against Slovakia.

A defining feature in the recent good performances of New Zealand Football teams internationally has been a stronger belief and confidence within these sides that has seen a determination to attack and put pressure on opposition teams which when applied consistently throughout a match can neutralise the technical, tactical or experience advantages inherent in these other teams.

This commitment to take the game to the other team and to impose an unrelenting presence right across the park fits the New Zealand sporting style and culture and has been a feature of All Black rugby superiority for decades.

Our  kiwi players enjoy and thrive on playing this way and as witnessed at the Cake Tin on November 14, the fans absolutely love it too and are able to respond and encourage this stye of performance which then feeds on itself with the outcome being dominant displays and good results.

The NZFC is also moving towards the play off phase of the season with Team Wellington pushing hard for a top 4 finish and a strong finals performance leading through to the Grand Final on April 25.

With a number of NZFC players under consideration for the All Whites World Cup squad, including Bannatyne, Barron, Peverley and Draper within Team Wellington, the competition and incentive is very high for all 8 teams and the NZFC has been fiercely contested to date this season and this is set to continue over the next couple of months.

Overall, 2010 is going to be another exciting breakthrough year for Football in New Zealand and we eagerly look forward to further international success from the Phoenix and All Whites.