New Zealand football coach signs on for 2014 W. Cup

14 February 2012 06:46

New Zealand football coach Ricki Herbert has signed a contract extension tying him to the All Whites until the end of the 2014 World Cup campaign, officials said Tuesday.

The deal means Herbert, who took over in 2005, is set to become the All Whites' longest serving coach, New Zealand Football (NZF) said.

"We believe Ricki is the man to see us through the qualifiers and, if things go to plan, on to another Confederations Cup and World Cup," NZF chief executive Grant McKavanagh said.

Herbert's All Whites team was the only side to remain undefeated at the 2010 World Cup, securing three draws in the group stages but failing to advance to the knockout phase.

To reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, New Zealand need to top the Oceania qualification rounds, then win a home-and-away play-off against the fourth placed team in CONCACAF, covering North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Source: AFP