Former New Zealand footballer Tim Brown is confident the All Whites are progressing despite failing in their bid to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The national side’s hopes of participating in the tournament were dashed by a controversial VAR call against Costa Rica, leaving them to rue what could have been as their opponents moved through unscathed, 1-0.
While it wasn’t to be in 2022 and both captain Winston Reid and coach Danny Hay have since parted ways with the side, Brown believes they’re not far off qualifying consistently for the four-yearly competition.
“We’re pretty close,” Brown told SENZ Breakfast.
“I mean, when we went in 2010 it had been 28 years since we’d been and now, partly favoured by the draw but also just by the rising young talent; more Kiwis than ever playing overseas, you’ve got people performing in the Premier League week on week.
“Could it be better (and) would you love to be there? There’s a hell of a lot of nations around the world that are not at the World Cup … and I’d actually like to think the game’s come a hell of a long way.
“I don’t know if you watched that game against Costa Rica but my god they were infinitely better than we (former All Whites) were technically and as a team.
“So I don’t know, I tend to be much more on the sense that the game’s come a long way.”
Brown, who also represented the Wellington Phoenix for 112 matches, admits more exposure across the nation would help to grow the game but is positive about where they are headed.
“Do you wish there was an A-League team in Auckland and one in Wellington and maybe one in Christchurch and the game was a little bit more in the conscience on a day-to-day basis? Yeah, I think so,” Brown added.
“But it’s all coming … I actually feel quite positive about it.”
Brown played 30 games for the All Whites and was a valuable member of their 2010 World Cup squad.