Northern Ireland v New Zealand Match Programme

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Association football has traditionally been
the poor relation of rugby in New Zealand.
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for space on the sports pages when up against
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international matches compared to the famous All
Blacks rugby union superstars.
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representative matches between the major towns
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succession.
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currently play in the Australian A League.
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tournament in Russia where they will play the host
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Next summer the All Whites are hoping to return
to Russia for the World Cup Finals but will have
to navigate their way through a couple of play-off
games later this year for that to become a reality.
New Zealand and the World Cup
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and began to play friendlies against Australia
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play-off victory against China.
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Steve Wooddin grabbing their goals.
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defeating Bahrain in a play-off.
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But the highlight for the Kiwis came in their next
game when reigning world champions Italy were
the opponents.
The game saw the All Whites take the lead
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The Italians continued to pile forward but the Kiwis
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particular.
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to lose a match in the tournament.
Words: Roy Kitson
32
NEW ZEALAND
FACTFILE