We here at Mad About Fútbol are excited about the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as the host nation of South Africa prepares for the 2010 World Cup. The Confederations Cup serves as a small test run for the The Great Tournament and at Mad About Fútbol were going to preview all 8 teams in the tournament.

Let's breakdown about New Zealand:

NEW ZEALAND

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NAME:
New Zealand Football

FIFA COUNTRY CODE:
NZL

TEAM NICKNAME:
All Whites

HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
2008 OFC Nations Cup

CONFEDERATIONS CUP HISTORY:
2009 - 3rd ever participation
Eliminated in 1st Round in 1999 & 2003

COACH:
Ricki Herbert (NZL)

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Shane Smeltz

The German born striker won the 08-09 A-League Golden Boot in Oceania's top club league. Smeltz scored 12 goals for Wellington Phoenix in the 08-09 season and is the 2-time defending Oceania Footballer Of The Year. He's got a good strike rate for the All Whites by scoring 13 goals in 20 appearances.

NEW ZEALAND OVERVIEW:
The All Whites have yet to win a match in an FIFA global competition having lost all 6 matches in Confederations Cup play and losing all 3 matches in their only World Cup appearance in Spain 1982. New Zealand will be elated with getting a point and ecstatic with a victory. This may be the year to get a point with Iraq and South Africa being unpredictable sides. The Oceania champs should feel confident after their impressive display in a 4-3 friendly loss to Italy on June 10th.

CONFEDERATIONS CUP SCHEDULE:
Group A = June 14 vs. Spain, June 17 vs. South Africa, June 20 vs. Iraq

ROSTER - JERSEY NUMBER LISTED NEXT TO NAME:
Goalkeepers (3):
1-Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix), 12-Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory, AUS), 23- James Bannatyne (Team Wellington)

Defenders (7):
2-Aaron Scott (Waitakere United), 3-Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), 5-Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), 6-Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City), 17-David Mulligan (Wellington Phoenix), 18-Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls, USA), 19-Steven Old (Kilmarnock , SCO)

Midfielders (7):
4-Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew, USA), 7-Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes, USA),
8-(C) Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), 11-Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), 13- Andrew Barron (Team Wellington), 14=Jeremy Christie (Wellington Phoenix), 16-Chris James (Tampere United, FIN)

Forwards (6):
9-Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United, AUS), 10-Chris Killen (Celtic, SCO), 15- Jeremy Brockie (North Queensland Fury, AUS), 20-Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion, ENG), 21-Kris Bright (Panserraikos, GRE), 22-Jarrod Smith (Seattle Sounders, USA)

The final nation of Group A we will breakdown on Mad About Fútbol's Confederations Cup Preview is the world's best team, Spain. So keep logging on to Mad About Fútbol to get the info you need for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.