New Zealand may not be the story everyone is talking about when they face Iran in their World Cup opener.
But make no mistake, the Kiwis are ready to vanquish 16 years of hurt.
Bar Tim Payne's bizarre rise to social media fame, the Kiwis have flown well under the radar compared to Iran, who have dealt with setback after setback on their way to the World Cup.
New Zealand haven't made it to football's biggest stage since 2010, when they famously went unbeaten in the group stage but fell desperately short of reaching the knockouts.
"It's excitement, it's a joy to be back here and we're looking forward to the challenge we have ahead," striker Chris Wood said on Sunday (Monday AEST) ahead of the game in Los Angeles.
