10 Jun 2010

All Whites go down to Chile in final World Cup warm up

10:41 am on 10 June 2010

The New Zealand football team has lost their final warm up match before the World Cup, going down 2-nil to fellow tournament hopefuls Chile in Nelspuit.

The All Whites captain Ryan Nelson sat out the sat out the match with an ear infection but was expected to be ready for their first Group F game against Slovakia on Tuesday night.

The Team spokesman Jamie Scott said the midfielder, who plays for English premier league side Blackburn Rovers, did not travel to Nelspuit for the game.

The 32-year-old New Zealand Footballer of the Year is central to the All Whites side and if fit, will lead the team against Slovakia.

Meanwhile New Zealand's chances in the globe's most watched tournament received a boost with the news that vice-captain and midfielder Tim Brown will join the squad after recovering from a shoulder fracture.

The All Whites, ranked a lowly 78th and in their second World Cup, also play defending champions Italy on June the 20th and Paraguay on June the 24th.