All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has called it “our best performance ever”. A draw to kick off New Zealand’s Football World Cup campaign against Iran in Los Angeles yesterday put midfielder Eli Just’s name in lights when he netted a brace. Former All Whites coach and player Ricki Herbert said the match was “fantastic” and had everything for the spectators. “It was a real stellar start by the All Whites team and to get into the lead twice in the match was awesome to see.
. a really good spectacle for people to watch and certainly at a World Cup level super-exciting.” However, while the 2-2 draw was admirable he told RNZ’s Morning Report programme today the All Whites came close to achieving an unlikely win. “I think the chances were there . Couple of little lapses in defence probably cost them coming away with what would have been an amazing result.” Herbert believed the four-team group that New Zealand are in was now evenly poised after a 1-1 draw
between Egypt and Belgium earlier in the day. He was impressed by the All Whites’ attacking prowess, particularly the combination of Just and experienced captain Chris Wood. Herbert said the team was in a confident space going into next week’s game against Egypt and a win would be enough to put them through to the knock-out round. “So a lot riding on the game, and clearly vice versa. Egypt will be desperate to get three points after what they probably have deemed as a really
good result against Belgium.” The World Cup was the ultimate stage for the All Whites and after yesterday’s performance more people would be taking notice of Kiwi players, such as Just. “To step up and score a brace and do extremely well at that World Cup level is amazing. I think that just ripples right across the world and really makes people stand up and have a look and there’s some very very talented players coming through.” Taken people ‘by surprise’ – Bazeley It was
not the win that it could have been, but the secret to how the lowest ranked side at the World Cup pushed the world No 20 team, and put Group G on notice, Bazeley believes comes down to “telepathy” and connection. “We’ve maybe taken a few people by surprise in showing who we are and the football that we can play. “For us to put on our best performance in four years here at the opening game for us at the World Cup is outstanding
from the players to play under pressure, big atmosphere against a very good team, full credit to the players to go and produce that performance.” A core group of Joe Bell, Marko Stamenic, Sapreet Singh, Callum McCowatt and Just were on the field when New Zealand kicked off their biggest game in 16 years in the most expensive sports stadium in the world. “These guys grew up together, playing club football, school, playing under 17s, under 20s. “They’ve known each other for so long that
there’s just this telepathy that they just combine and connect with each other and it’s lovely to watch, it really is. “We have the makings of a very good team, still [room] to improve, but I think every game we go into now we go in to win.” Bazeley was not surprised it was Just who popped up to put away two of New Zealand’s eight shots on target. Just is coming off a good season with club side Motherwell where has been picking up
awards. “He’s had an outstanding season in Scotland and he brought that with him and showed the world how dangerous he can be. “He is slightly built, but he gets into pockets, gets turned and he’s quick, and he’s great with the ball, very intelligent, links with [Chris Wood] really well. “I think a lot of people [are] probably watching that today and saying he’s a very good player, and he’s building his career and this is probably going to help him a lot.” For
midfielder Ryan Thomas, who came into the tournament under an injury cloud but got 22 minutes off the bench against Iran, the first result of the tournament felt a bit like a missed opportunity. “Maybe this was the one we could have got the three points in, but saying that the boys worked very hard to make sure we got a point out of the game, they did really well to make sure we didn’t lose the match. “There’s a couple of things we need
to improve on but going forward it’s looking good.” Bazeley agreed that the All Whites were heading in the right direction for their remaining group games in Vancouver against Egypt on Monday and Belgium on June 27, and he saw an opportunity for his side to cause an upset against the higher ranked teams. “I actually think now in world football it’s levelling, the big teams have still got great players – but every team here at the World Cup has threats and they’re going
to have moments. “And football literally is about moments and it doesn’t matter how much possession and how many chances you have to take a moment to score a goal, and that’s the challenge we set our players to today or over the last few years. “Somebody has to have a moment on the world stage for us to go and win a game of football. “Eli just had two in a game, scored two great goals and that’s going to live forever for him
and for the All Whites. “And if we can get that next one and win a game, then we make history and then we can move forward in a great space.”
All Whites, Darren Bazeley, Ricki Herbert, Eli Just, Chris Wood, Iran, Egypt, Belgium, World Cup Group G, Vancouver, telepathy