NEW ZEALAND’S World Cup fairytale came to an end in Polokwane after a goalless draw with Paraguay but they return home better for the experience.

NEW ZEALAND coach Ricki Herbert was ecstatic last night after world champions Italy were saved from humiliation against his team of minnows only by a controversial penalty.

NEW Zealand manager Ricki Herbert has hailed his team’s 1-1 World Cup draw with Slovakia yesterday as the best result in the nation’s football history.