Ar-Rayyan / Qatar (dpa) – A Bundesliga legend is also part of it. New Zealand’s footballers have a very special ritual, which is no different before one of the country’s most important games this Tuesday with the intercontinental playoff for the World Cup entry against Costa Rica in Ar-Rayyan in Qatar.
It’s about the identity of the team, on the field and off the pitch. It’s about bringing the team even closer together and conveying who they are as New Zealanders, national coach Danny Hay recently explained to the “Stuff” portal.
So there is a banner with three legends of New Zealand football: Steve Sumner, who played for the All Whites from 1976 to 1988, Ryan Nelsen (1999 to 2012) and of course Wynton Rufer. The now 59-year-old scored twelve goals in 23 international matches and “remains New Zealand’s greatest football expert,” the portal praised the long-time professional and crowd favorite at SV Werder Bremen.
All three were pioneers in their own way and what they have done for the national team and for the country’s football is absolutely tremendous. That’s why photos and special features are immortalized on the banner in addition to the names of the three. “They’re in our meeting room and every time we play they move with us,” Hay said.