User tools SmallNormal Text SizeLargePrintBookmark the SiteEmail this Page

Woodsy's World Cup Diary - Part Twelve

Posted on: Fri 25 Jun 2010

TODAY is the game of our lives!

I'm feeling calm - but also really excited.

It's a massive game for our country, the adrenalin is pumping and I hope I can make a positive contribution.

The match in Polokwane kicks off at 2am New Zealand time (ko 3pm BST).

But that won't stop everyone back home staying up to watch.

Not only can we make Kiwi football history by winning a game at a World Cup and reaching the last 16.

Advertisement

But I've heard a public holiday could be declared in New Zealand if we get through!

That's how much it means to people back home.

In fact, our Prime Minister John Key was in our dressing room after the Italy draw and on our flight back to the training base.

He is a major football fan.

It's great to see he came out all this way to support us.

After flying from our Serengetti Estate, and dropping our bags off at the hotel, we trained at the Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday.

It is a newly-built stadium and is excellent.

The pitch is in very good condition and I guess we've been lucky with the pitches we've played on when you consider the one England had to play on yesterday.

All the players again got on with what they needed to do and got to grips with the surroundings.

Everyone looks like they will be in good shape.

A draw could be enough to see us through to the next stage depending on the result of the Italy v Slovakia game - but we're going out there to win.

You can't think about what's going on elsewhere.

We've got a chance of going through without worrying about other games.

We'll be trying to do our own business and get through by winning our match.

Paraguay are currently sitting top of Group F and I think they will be full of confidence.

They've had two great results in the first two games.

They're flying and we need to try and shut them out and not concede.

It will more than likely come down to one goal and hopefully we can swing it our way.

One man we'll definitely have to stop is Manchester City Striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Our skipper Nelly knows him really well from training and playing together at Blackburn.

He considers him to be the main threat in their team and he has spoken to our defenders about him to put them on alert.

Nelly is a great captain.

He's captain of a Premier League club and that experience shines through.

He's someone all the players look up to and respect - he's a commanding figure.

He always wants to lead from the front and do a good job.

It would be great to follow England through into the second round.

I saw the first half-an-hour of their 1-0 win over Slovenia.

I'm delighted they've gone through.

And meeting the Germans in the next game on Sunday is going to be intriguing.

I do feel terrible for Robert Koren as that late USA goal broke Slovenia hearts after they performed so admirably in Group C.

I thought the Aussies were going to pull off a miracle.

But their 2-1 win over Serbia was not enough and Ghana went through with Germany from Group D.

I guess it's up to us to fly the flag for the Antipodean nations now!

I've had quite a few calls and texts wishing me luck.

I spoke to my sister Chelsey to wish her happy birthday yesterday and she just told me to make sure I score this time!

Season Tickets on sale now

 Latest Articles
Read 12.02.2012 Striker targetting top-ten finish after first Premier League hat-trick
Read 12.02.2012 And Baggies boss says Marco deserves change of 'Fortune'
Read 12.02.2012 And boss reveals how half-time team-talk was 'crucial' to second-half romp
Read 12.02.2012 Hodgson makes two changes to his side
Read 12.02.2012 Don't miss a kick of the Black Country derby with Albion Player
Read 12.02.2012 Log on for live text feed and interact by posting YOUR comments
Read 11.02.2012 Find out if you've won a copy of 'Orange Crush 2' DVD in our latest online competition
Read 11.02.2012 But head coach relishing chance to unleash fit-again striker
Read 11.02.2012 And boss determined not to make Wolves' job any easier
Read 10.02.2012 Key members of 'March to Molineux' visit club's training ground to promote event in aid of Acorns
 News Archive
Display Stories From Week

West Bromwich Albion business finder is powered by city-visitor.com

All materials on this website © West Bromwich Albion Football Club & FL Interactive Ltd.

Photographs courtesy of Empics ©

Part of the
Football League Interactive network




CEOP - Report Abuse

Part of the Club Player network

Company Details


All rights reserved save as per website Terms of UsePrivacy Statement.

For all advertising and sponsorship enquiries, please click here