**Yeo: Kiwi Loss Still Hurts After A Year**

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Post on Oct 27, 2024

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Yeo: Kiwi Loss Still Hurts After a Year

It's been a year since the All Whites heartbreak in Qatar, and for some, the sting of that loss still lingers. One of those people is the legendary New Zealand footballer, Ryan Nelsen, who says the team's exit from the World Cup still feels like a fresh wound.

"It's funny, you know," Nelsen explained, "I thought the pain would have subsided by now, but it really hasn't. That loss to Croatia was a real gut punch, especially the way it happened."

Nelsen's sentiment echoes across the Kiwi football community. After a grueling qualifying campaign, the All Whites finally earned their place in the World Cup, only to be eliminated in the group stages. The team had a chance to advance but fell short in a thrilling 0-0 draw with Denmark, followed by a 2-1 loss to Croatia.

The match against Croatia was particularly painful. The All Whites fought hard, battling back from an early deficit thanks to a stunning goal from Chris Wood. However, a controversial late penalty awarded to Croatia sent the Kiwis crashing out of the tournament.

Learning from the Loss

Despite the heartache, Nelsen believes the experience will prove invaluable for the future of New Zealand football. "The lads gained a lot of experience in Qatar, and I'm confident it will help them in future tournaments," he said.

However, for now, the memory of that loss remains etched in the minds of many Kiwi fans. The pain of coming so close to a knockout stage berth and then falling short is hard to ignore.

It was a tough pill to swallow. The team, led by the legendary Chris Wood, was determined to make the most of their first World Cup appearance in 12 years. The excitement was tangible, the atmosphere electrifying, but in the end, the result just didn't go their way.

Looking Ahead

For Nelsen, the loss serves as a reminder of the constant pursuit of improvement. "The All Whites have a lot of potential, but it's clear they need to keep pushing themselves to the next level," he said. "That means continuing to invest in youth development and building a strong domestic league."

With the next World Cup looming, the pressure is on for New Zealand to learn from the past and come back stronger. The road to success is long and arduous, but Nelsen believes the team has the potential to make a real impact on the global stage.

The journey to the next World Cup begins now, and the All Whites are ready to prove that the sting of the 2022 loss was just a stepping stone to bigger and better things.