DB's World Cup Diary - we hit South Africa and South Africa hits us!

When Joel (Matamata Chronicle Editor) told me I had about 400 words each week I thought that would be sweet. After my first week in South Africa I think I need more like four million! In trying to keep this as brief as possible, I'll just focus on some of the highlights.

** It took me the best part of two and a half days to get from Helsinki, to South Africa, then to bed. We arrived in Jo'burg at about 6am on Monday morning and hung out at the airport for a couple of hours (as you do). Rather than going to the hotel we were told we had to go straight to Soccer City to watch the game we had tickets for (Netherlands v Denmark). We got to the ground an hour before the gates opened, but that was cool because we had plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere. The game itself was rubbish but the stadium is amazing.

** Our second day in South Africa was one of history for our country - the game against Slovakia. A three hour drive to Rustenburg, which should have taken an hour and a half, meant we were rushed to get into the ground and only made it a few minutes before kick-off. I was so proud to be listening to the NZ national anthem at a World Cup that I almost sung it (for anyone who knows me that's a BIG deal!). The game itself was fairly even, with a tight first half before we let in a soft goal. The Slovaks cruised the rest of the match, stupidly not really pushing for a second goal. That approach came back to bite them in the butt in the last 30 seconds when Winston Reid became everyone's favourite Danish Maori super hero. The crazy burst of emotion was so unexpected as our travelling band of fans really thought the game was gone.

** The New Zealand fans are doing this country proud in South Africa. From the guy bouncing around in a sheep costume in Rustenburg to a dude we know from Tokoroa who figured out the vuvuzela would be far more use as a drinking vessel than a horn we've seen many a moment to bring a tear to the eye. I'm sure there will be many more moments to savour.

** For all of you with Sky I'd invite you to watch their World Cup show - called Inside Africa - later this week. The tour group I'm part of played a game of football against a local township team and the Sky cameras were there. We played on a dusty, rock-strewn field up the back of Jo'burg's Deepsloot township, one of the most depressing looking shanty towns I've ever seen. Our motley crew of mainly middle-aged, broken down has beens managed to limit the damage to 2-1, although I'm sure the locals were taking it easy on us. Actually, I'm convinced they did. Their skills were silky and they moved as if they were playing on Wembley. If you manage to catch the show on Sky keep an eye out for Matamata's finest - Dave Taylor, Eric Van Waveren, Scott Parsonage and yours truly.

** For the gamblers among you I'd suggest you slip a lazy tenner on Argentina to win this thing. We watched them in the flesh as they demolished South Korea at Soccer City. They have some very, very sharp players and a coach, Diego Maradona, who seems to be succeeding despite his chaotic personality. The biggest of the day was reserved for a special Maradona sideline trick. A nice touch.

** We're off to watch the All Whites play Italy tomorrow in Nelspruit. That means an early start and a four to five hour bus ride. We've purchased some white wigs and piano key board ties just to prove that us country boys can let our hair down a little and get into the swing of things. Maybe you will have seen us on the telecast. We're hoping for another upset but won't be holding out much hope. The day will be all about enjoying the fact that New Zealand will be playing the world champions at the World Cup. That will be enough.