The club's CEO believes it was the catalyst for much of the success the All Whites (and individuals within the team) have since enjoyed.

New Zealand will be present at football's biggest show for the first time since 1982 and Tony Pignata wonders how the story might have turned out without the existence of the A-League side.

"It's a fantastic achievement for the All Whites but I think the Phoenix factor is certainly one that should be considered," Pignata told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"You have several  players in Ricki (Herbert's) All Whites side who play week in and week out at club level. That means they go out as internationals well aware of how each other plays.

"They play every week under the national coach and then add to that the fact that the match that resulted in qualification (Bahrain) was played on a pitch and in a stadium they know so well.

"They were playing at a venue where they hadn't lost in 13 matches.

"Before the Phoenix you had a lot of these players scattered across the world. So yes, I think you could say the club was one of the catalysts for qualification."

One member of the All Whites/Phoenix brigade has suffered a blow ahead of the A-League clash with Brisbane Roar this weekend. Goalkeeper Mark Paston is ruled out due to an injury he sustained in training this week.