All Whites credible draw against USA

By Michael Burgess

The All Whites have regained their mana and mojo.

They have managed an eye-catching result on Wednesday, with a 1-1 draw against the United States in Cincinnati. It’s an American team in transition, sure, but to avoid defeat against the world No 16 side – when they were desperate for a win on home soil – was impressive, especially given the below-par display against Mexico four days earlier.

The All Whites’ 88th-minute equaliser was fortuitous – with an attempted clearance deflecting off substitute Ben Waine – but they deserved something for their efforts across the match.

The USA had the better opportunities – but not by much – and the All Whites had created some good chances, with Eli Just going closest after a counterattack, before Waine’s goal. It was a performance of courage and conviction, defying the massive difference in the respective rankings (New Zealand are currently 94th), even if Fifa’s measures are a bit skewed.

Goalkeeper Max Crocombe was outstanding – defying the Americans on several occasions and keeping the All Whites in the game. Fullback Liberato Cacace was also superb – always looking to get forward, while the midfield did well against their highly rated opposites, as did the young defensive pairing of Nando Pijnaker and Finn Surman.

Coach Darren Bazeley had made sweeping changes, the most during his tenure for a significant match. Pijnaker and Surman came into central defence, with Alex Rufer preferred in central midfield alongside Joe Bell.

Marko Stamenic was used in a more advanced role, with Matt Garbett and Just were selected out wide, in place of Ben Old and Kosta Barbarouses.

The United States thought they had opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Ricardo Pepi but the goal was chalked off for a foul on Cacace. It was the right call but also a let-off for the New Zealand team.

The best first-half chance for the visitors fell to Cacace – who was impressive throughout – with his strong right-foot effort saved well by goalkeeper Matt Turner. After captain Chris Wood’s strong pre-match message, there was an instant response, with more positive intent in the first 10 minutes than across the entirety of Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Mexico.

There was spark and movement in possession and a sense the All Whites were there to play, with bite in their tackles and much more urgency out of possession.

The USA had the better of the first period – necessitating some strong stops by Crocombe - but the New Zealand side also created plenty of promising moments. Garbett sent an early half-volley over the bar after winning the ball, while Just also had an effort blocked.

There were also misplaced passes at key moments, with Stamenic and Bell, who were otherwise solid, failing to find well-placed teammates after regaining possession in the attacking third. New Zealand had a good opportunity to take the lead in the 57th minute, with Just unable to beat Turner after being released by a beautiful Stamenic ball in a rapid counterattack.

There was then a wonderful save from Crocombe – defying Brenden Aaronson just after the hour – when the Leeds United forward looked odds-on to break the deadlock. After the NZ side had worked so hard for so long, the United States goal to substitute Christian Pulisic was a poor concession.

It was a nice team move and a great finish from the former Chelsea star but the inability to close down the American dangerman will be hard to watch in the review. Ben Old was close to a Tuiloma cross after a breakaway, before Waine’s freakish equaliser in the 89th minute. With 10 minutes of added time the game stretched out, with chances falling to both sides.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission