Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
The highlight of my week was going to be watching the Football Ferns beat Switzerland in Dunedin on Sunday night. I couldn't see that game going any other way. I had total belief. The Ferns had already shown their mastery against Norway and, while they didn't get the win against Philippines, my interpretation of that game was that they were simply unlucky. They outplayed the Philippines in every aspect on the field ... apart from the scoreboard.
Somewhere, among a deluge of naysayers and a torrent of negativity in the lead in, the Football Ferns stepped right up to the elite level of World Cup competition. I know that there has been so much work that went into the team arriving at that place, but it also feels like an exciting beginning for New Zealand football.
And Sunday's game was thrilling – one of the most entertaining games I've seen. For nearly 100 minutes I sat on the edge of my seat as the Football Ferns surged towards the Switzerland goal yet again. Time after time. Surely it was just a matter of time?
The 0-0 might not have been the fairytale the team had worked towards, but, against one of the best teams in the world, and to control the majority of the game ... it was an outstanding performance.
An arrival of sorts.
New Zealand has proved to the world that in the immense world of football there will no longer be a question of whether we belong to be rubbing shoulders with the world's best. The Ferns have changed that and cemented a new pathway to the elite level in one of the world's greatest games.
Take a bow Ferns. Just superb ... thank you.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS I haven't been in the water since getting back from Bali thanks to reef cuts that got infected. Nasty stuff. The good news is that the surf has been incredible, uncrowded and plentiful. The bad news: some weather on its way and more of those big south swells.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: