Long time no see

New Zealand are back in the football big stage. After their last, and so far only, World Cup place in 1982, the nation with a population of just over 4 million people, benefited this time around greatly from the Australians move to the Asian confederation.

The country mostly known for rugby and cricket, have started to rise to prominence recently in football. A number of players are being noted by European clubs, inspiring the young players in the nation and raising the profile of the game in general.

Captain Ryan Nelsen is the most well known. The centre-back was a real revelation in the English Premier League for Blackburn Rovers a few season's back. Recently injuries have hampered his career, but his still a good player and a valuable member of the Rovers and New Zealand's back line.

Celtic stiker Chris Killen and Plymouth Argyle's forward Rory Fallon, who scored the winning goal in the play-off round versus Bahrain, look to be a very good strike due on paper for a team that doesn't have many good players for one position.

Most players still come from local sides, but there are some inspirational figures, who could lift the whole team.

Manager Ricki Herbert, who was part of the side in 1982, has good experience with the local sides, as a matter of fact he's still also the manager of Wellington Phoenix, and could turn out to be a key point as well. Team spirit can take teams far and no doubt there's a will to prove they aren't in South Africa just to make up the numbers.

Another side who'll be making an appearance at the World Cup finals for the first time in a while are Honduras.

Similar to New-Zealand, the Centre-American nation were last part of the festivities in 1982. A lot of time has past since then and the country are slowly starting to put down a marker in their confederation, being no doubt the most improved footballing side of the region.

A lot of this has to go down to better players moving to Europe. And not into mediocre clubs and as squad players, but essential parts of a team in top league.

David Suazo is the star of the side no doubt. The Inter Milan striker is one of the sharpest in the Italian league and while his form has dipped in recent seasons after his big move, he's still a classy player capable of moments of brilliance.

Two Premier League players run the midfield. Wilson Palacios of Spurs and Henry Thomas, who's actually the cousin of Suazo, of Wigan.

Defensive rock Victor Bernardez has praised the work of manager Colombian Reinaldo Rueda. Talking about the qualifying Bernandez, who plays his club football at Anderlecht in Belgium, said: “It was the reward for two-and-a-half years of work with a coaching staff that succeeded in changing attitudes. That change came thanks to the coach. Before him, no national coach paid attention to the players in the way that he does.”

Bernandez also went on record saying that the current side is the best ever in Honduras. And certainly all the players will be out to prove this and their worth.