The All Whites’ achievement in reaching the 1982 World Cup finals even inspired a children’s board game, the ‘Ball-O World Cup soccer game’ - marketed as ‘exciting new family sporting entertainment’.
All Whites
Articles
1982 Football World Cup
As New Zealand prepares for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we look back to 1981-82, when football first seized the country’s imagination. After slogging through an epic qualifying schedule of 15 games, the 'All Whites' took on the best in the world at the 1982 finals in Spain. Read the full article
Page 2 - Qualifying rounds
New Zealand’s long road to Spain began on Anzac Day 1981 with a hard-fought 3–3 draw with Australia at Mount Smart Stadium,
Page 3 - Playing in the finals
The New Zealanders were given little hope against their opposition in Group 6, which was dubbed the ‘pool of death’. This group included the cup favourites, Brazil, plus powerful
Page 4 - All Whites' results
Results from qualifying and finals games played by New
