The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup countdown continues - today we look at the team from New Zealand.
New Zealand (aka the All Whites) is the third team in Group A
As part of the Oceania Football Confederation, undoubtedly the weakest of Fifa's regional bodies, New Zealand doesn't get to consistently play against top-class opposition. It is something that could hamper their efforts in the Confederations Cup.
The other teams in the confederation - American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu – fall in the category of minnows on the world stage. With Australia joining the Asian Football Confederation, New Zealand has become the region's soccer powerhouse.
Defender Ryan Nelsen, who has been playing for the All Whites since 1999, is probably their best known player. He plays alongside South Africa's Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League.
(Copy source: SouthAfrica.info - original article: Brad Morgan. Creative Commons License)
Our pick for New Zealand Confederations Cup team hottie is....
The Captain Ryan Nelson
I truly DID look through photos of over half the team but the body in this pic of Ryan was too good to pass up, although the All Whites have a handful of hotties it has to be said...
Feel free to add your comments / personal preference below!
