Serbian win the greatest in Kiwi history, says coach

New Zealand's stunning 1-0 victory over fellow World Cup qualifiers Serbia on Saturday was the greatest in their footballing history, the All Whites coach Ricki Herbert claimed yesterday.

The 49-year-old former defender - capped 61 times and who was a member of the Kiwi squad that played in the 1982 World Cup finals in their only previous appearance at football's showpiece tournament - was also delighted with the performance of his rank outsiders.

"It was without doubt the greatest victory in our history," Herbert told Austria press agency APA referring to the Serbian clash, in which Shane Smeltz' first-half goal proved the difference.

"But I was even more satisfied with our performance," purred Herbert.

In South Africa, New Zealand will face defending champions Italy, Paraguay and debutants Slovakia.

Despite the morale-boosting victory against a strangely subdued Serbian side, Herbert's aim at the finals, which run from June 11 to July 11, remained modest.

"We are still outsiders," said Herbert.

"My country lost all its matches at the 1982 World Cup finals and we want to change that record," he added.

New Zealand have one more friendly to play prior to ending their preparations in Austria, against another qualifier Slovenia on Friday in Maribor.

Serbia, who have been drawn in Group D against three-time winners Germany, Ghana and Australia, will look to regroup and gain a victory over non-qualifiers Poland in their final friendly on Wednesday in Kufstein, Austria.