All Whites shock Ivory Coast
The All Whites have clung on to shock African champions Ivory Coast 1-0 in Canda - in a result that could be regarded as one of their best in the last 15 years.
Winger Eli Just scored the winning goal just before halftime before New Zealand dug in to win a contest in Toronto on Sunday in which they were largely outplayed but scrapped effectively to preserve a clean sheet.
They did it with regular captain Chris Wood playing as a substitute, coming off the bench in the 82nd minute to replace striker Kosta Barbarouses as All Whites management seek to control the 33-year-old's workload following a huge season of goal-scoring at Nottingham Forest.
Defender Libby Cacace was captain in his place.
It was New Zealand's first match since March, when they beat New Caledonia in Auckland to book their place at next year's FIFA World Cup.
Playing their first ever men's senior match against world No 41 Ivory Coast, the 86th-ranked All Whites notched their first win over a team ranked that high since 2010.
Victory was based on some inspired defending, led by Finn Surman, while fellow-centre back Tyler Bindon also impressed with his grittiness and goalkeeper Max Crocombe came up with a number of crucial stops.
After seeing off a host of Ivory Coast attacks, the New Zealanders scored a counter-attacking goal through Austria-based Just in the 41st minute.
The goal was set up by midfielder Marko Stamenic, who won back possession in the middle of the park and quickly picking out Just's run down the right flank.
Just's first touch was sublime before an angled shot to the far left corner beat goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare.
The Elephants didn't start with their strongest side at BMO Stadium, but coach Emerse Fae introduced a host of leading European players in the second half in the pursuit of goals.
One of their best chance came in the 92nd minute when Crocombe produced a reaction save to deny a close-range header from Brighton star winger in the English Premier League, Simon Adingra.
Moments later, the final whistle sounded on just New Zealand's third win in 19 international matches against African opposition.
The only injury concern was an apparent knee problem suffered by Callum McCowatt midway through the first half. He was replaced by Ben Old.
The match was part of the Canadian Shield four-nation tournament.
In the opening match, hosts Canada beat Ukraine 4-2.
New Zealand play 25th-ranked Ukrainians on Wednesday morning in Toronto.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
NZ men reach semifinal
Finn Ward of the Black Sticks during their Nations Cup game against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Black Sticks men pulled off another remarkable comeback at the Nations Cup in Malaysia yesterday. The New Zealanders fought back from 3-1 down at halftime to beat Pakistan 4-3 in their final pool game. That made it three wins from three in pool play. They finish top of pool B and will play Korea in a semifinal tomorrow morning (NZ time). New Zealand came out firing and dominated the opening minutes yesterday. The pressure paid off early, Nic Woods converting a penalty corner flick to give his side the lead. But Pakistan responded in style. They took control of the midfield, forcing turnovers and countering hard, and their defence was solid, shutting down every circle entry. Three unanswered goals put Pakistan in charge going into halftime. The third quarter was all Black Sticks, however. After several penalty corner chances were denied, Scott Cosslett finally broke through with a powerful flick. Just a minute later, he did it again, and the two goals in quick succession had the game at 3-3 heading into the final quarter. Cosslett was not done. Six minutes into the fourth, he scored from a penalty corner to complete his hat-trick. There were more chances to extend the lead — a rocket from Sean Findlay and a diving effort from Finn Ward were denied by some outstanding goalkeeping from Pakistan. Ward was making his third appearance for the Black Sticks and was joined by brother Patrick, who was activated from the travelling reserves due to illness to team-mate Gus Nelson. Fellow Otago players Benji Culhane and Malachi Buschl also saw some action. — APL
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Wanderers confirm signing of All Whites striker Kosta Barbarouses
All Whites striker Kosta Barbarouses. Photo: PHOTOSPORT All Whites striker Kosta Barbarouses has been confirmed as Western Sydney Wanderers new signing. Barbarouses left the Phoenix last month following his third stint with the A-League club. The 35-year-old has signed a one year deal with Wanderers. It will be the fifth A-League he has played for during his career. Western Sydney Wanderers finished fourth last season and were beaten in the first round of the Finals series. "It's a very enticing football project. I think the way the club, the players, the staff, all sort of came together last year, it was something I saw and thought I'd love to be a part of that," Barbarouses said. "Wanderers are a very, entertaining attacking team that looks like they're very much together and they've got a good bond. And the fans, of course, are right behind them. Wanderers Head coach Alen Stajcic was delighted to sign him. "His experience and leadership will be a great asset to the squad," said Stajcic. "Kosta is a professional in every sense; driven, humble, and committed to the team above all else. He embodies the character we want in our dressing room and what it means to represent Western Sydney."
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
FIA Backs Changes To Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
The new look format – with the championship's regular 15 races being run over four weekends instead of five - has been signed off by the FIA's World Council of Motorsport and will be introduced for the 2026 season. From 2026, the FIA will introduce a Regional Trophy concept for all Formula Regional and Formula 4 categories. These new formats provide organisers and promoters with unprecedented flexibility to choose between a traditional championship format lasting over a longer period or concentrating their competitions – under the 'Trophy' title - within a shorter timeframe with fewer events. This will preserve the status of championships certified by FIA by offering an alternative which still answers the FIA's overarching goals of increasing global participation and making motor sport more accessible for all. The New Zealand championship will be the first to adopt the 'Trophy' profile and retains its FIA Championship status. It will be the 21st season of New Zealand's premier single seater championship – which remains highly regarded as a major international junior formulae not only by the FIA, but also by F1 and Indycar teams as well as driver development programmes. The support from the FIA and the World Council means that the New Zealand-based championship can start in early January after the Christmas and New Year holiday period, but complete its schedule – which culminates with the New Zealand Grand Prix - without any clashes with pre-season testing in the northern hemisphere. Clashes with both US Indy and IndyNxt testing in the US and FIA F2/F3 and other European championships have prevented a number of top line rising stars completing or even taking part in the championship in recent seasons. The FIA was keen to work with New Zealand organisers TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ to ensure that its flagship winter championship was accessible to all rising global single seater stars. 'We have long appealed to emerging single seater stars around the world,' explained TGRNZ Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol. 'That's not only because of the value for money we offer as an international championship, but also because of the testing mileage, the intensity of the qualifying and racing, the variety of highly challenging circuits the drivers experience and the professionalism of the teams involved,' 'Our most recent champion, 2025 winner Arvid Lindblad, is already one step away from Formula One and we like to think that his 2025 season in New Zealand has indeed played its part in that process. 'With the way now clear for more European drivers, and USA drivers, to come to New Zealand we have no more obstacles preventing the championship becoming even more important as a pathway for the world's best motorsport prospects. 'We will announce our 2026 calendar, and the revised format for each weekend imminently.'
