Words: Garry McKenzie
Images: Chris Simpson

New Zealand’s All Whites were made to earn a hard-fought 2-0 friendly win against Western Pride before a capacity crowd at Briggs Road Complex.

The international side, preparing for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup, went ahead courtesy of an early Monty Patterson free-kick before Bill Tuiloma sealed the result early in the second stanza.

Pride produced a plucky performance in twice testing the woodwork while Bonventure Thomas-Remijo and Jacob Minett forced quality saves in the second half.

It was a mixed night for Pride goalkeeper Duncan Short who saved a Rory Fallon penalty in the 33rd minute before being forced from the field after a head clash on the stroke of half-time.

New Zealand's pre-tournament schedule also includes behind-closed-doors friendlies against Brisbane City and Redlands United.

Key Moments

9’ – GOAL FOR NEW ZEALAND – Monty Patterson bends a free-kick from left of the area over a diving Short and into the top right corner.

12’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Mitchell Bird pokes a ball against the left post after a low free kick into the area is not cleared by the New Zealand defence.

24’ – CHANCE FOR NEW ZEALAND – Fallon is left unmarked in the middle of the box where he tries to place the ball to the left of Short but the keeper dives to get everything behind it.

25’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – A Pride counter from a New Zealand corner sees Duckworth played clear but his shot is straight at keeper Marinovic.

33’ – CHANCE FOR NEW ZEALAND – Corey Lucas is penalised for hand ball in the box. Rory Fallon shoots to the left but Short dives to touch the ball right. The ball finds Lewis whose shot is ballooned up by Short’s fingertips before a final New Zealand attempt is cleared off the line by the Pride defence.

57’ – GOAL FOR NEW ZEALAND – Pride fail to clear a corner and the ball finds a lurking Bill Tuiloma, who turns and thumps an unstoppable shot into the top right corner past substitute keeper Williams.

78’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – New Zealand’s defence loses a high through ball and in the confusion Duckworth reacts quickest to curl a rising shot which brushes the wrong side of the left upright.

80’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Boni Thomas puts in a clever touch past the New Zealand defence then outpaces the retreating defenders to force a diving save from substitute keeper Crocombe.

89’ – CHANCE FOR PRIDE – Jacob Minett is played through in the area but while his shot sends Cromcombe the wrong way, he can’t beat the keeper’s trailing legs.

What They Said

“The boys did themselves proud on and off the field. New Zealand’s shape set us some challenges which we addressed in the second half. Obviously New Zealand in terms of passing and possession were better than us but our boys will learn a lot from that. This game should give the boys confidence if you work hard on and off the ball then football becomes a bit of a leveller.” – Graham Harvey, Western Pride FC coach.

“(Pride) were very good. What I like about them is they try to play football and continued to do that throughout the game. They seem like a promising team. (The NPL) is a good league and we have players over here who play in this league.” – Anthony Hudson, All Whites coach.

Match Details

Friendly
Wednesday, 18 May
Briggs Road Complex, Ipswich

Western Pride FC – 0
New Zealand – 2 (Monty PATTERSON 9', Bill  TUILOMA 57')