Rustenburg, South Africa - New Zealand's All Whites have played 10 matches at senior FIFA competitions and have yet to secure a point.

In 1982, the team lost all three matches at the World Cup, as they did at the 1999 and 2003 Confederations Cup competitions.

This time around they have played one game so far and were completely outclassed by a rampant Spain side, that could have won by a much higher margin than 5-0 had they not relaxed in the second half after being ahead 4-0 at half-time.

On Wednesday the All Whites take on the Confederations Cup hosts South Africa in Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace and they are hoping that they will be able to make history.

Coach Ricki Herbert told a pre-match press conference on Tuesday that they were aware that they could do something in the game.

Herbert, who was a player at the World Cup in 1982 and assistant coach in 2003, said that he had a very good group of players, who had set a milestone for New Zealand football.

"They have the passion to set another milestone and if it comes in the game against South Africa, nobody will be prouder than me. We have a great atmosphere in the camp and the big noise in the stadium is what we like.

"We are still looking for our first point at the Confederation Cup and maybe we can do it against South Africa."

Wellington Phoenix midfielder Tim Brown, who captains the side, said that he too believed that they could do well. "It is a big chance for us to create a little bit of history.

"We are not under a lot of pressure and we have a certain freedom, which the South Africans do not have. Hopefully we can go at them and create a bit of an upset."

The 48-year-old coach said that the game was a huge one for South Africa. "They will be looking to win after a surprising result in their first game and maybe we can catch them on a bit of a backlash."

Herbert, who also coaches the club side Wellington Phoenix, said that although they had briefly discussed the defeat against Spain, they had not dwelled on it too long.

"At tournaments like this, there is not a lot of turn-around before the next match and we are looking forward to the next game. I think the players will be a bit different because they have to be different.

"It will also be interesting to see how other teams do against Spain."

Striker Shane Smeltz said that Spain played really well against them. "We expected a tough night against Spain and we got it. I think because South Africa have to win, they will come at us and hopefully we will have an opportunity to go at them."

Spain top Group A with three points ahead of Wednesday's matches, while South Africa and Iraq each have one point. New Zealand have yet to pick up a point. (dpa)