Iraq 0-0 New Zealand – Confederations Cup
With Iraq vs New Zealand broadcasting on my television and the joys of the BBC live stream from the Spain vs South Africa match on my laptop, I was all set for what I hoped to become a thrilling night of Confederations Cup action. After sitting through the dour opening stages of the Iraq vs New Zealand encounter, it was around the ten minute mark I heard a fantastic comment from BBC commentator Steve Wilson who was commentating on the Spain vs South Africa game.
“There is an African myth that the sound of a vuvuzelo can kill a baboon, well I can only imagine the baboon topped himself.”
The vuvuzelo has caused just as much debate as the football throughout this tournament as the highly irritating buzzing noise does not make for easy listening through a television set. Whether or not this unique part of the South African’s culture will be present in a years time remains to be seen.
Will the buzz of a vuvuzela be present at the World Cup?
As for the match itself, it was clear throughout the full ninety minutes why Iraq are ranked 77th and New Zealand are 82nd in the FIFA World rankings. However, Iraq looked to make the early inroads as a whipped cross from Hawar saw a downward header from Imad bounce just over the bar with goalkeeper Moss stranded.
Iraq, who had failed to score in their previous two matches, offered little threat following this and it was New Zealand who looked to take the game to their opponents. Former Oldham Athletic striker Chris Killen was guilty of missing the Kiwi’s best chance in the 14th minutes after slicing wide when under little pressure in the penalty area.
New Zealand continued to assert pressure on their negative opponents and would have taken the lead if their finishing had been more clinical. Shane Smeltz had a glorious chance to give his side the lead midway through the first half but glanced a header just wide of the right hand post when well placed.
Smeltz may have put Iraq out of their misery earlier had he been more clinical!
With Iraq needing to better the South African result by a couple of goals, they simply had to push more men forward during the second half. However, the period of play that followed was perhaps one of the most dour ever seen in an international competition with both sides cancelling eachother out with their mediocre approach play. In fact, it took until the 67th minute for the first real attempt on goal as Iraq midfielder Karim shot several yards over the crossbar. The same player provided the most entertaining moment of the half just moments later as a corner kick just about stayed on the grass behind the goal, let alone actually reaching the field of play.
With time running out for Iraq they finally sprung into life during the final five minutes. Firstly, midfielder Karim managed to dribble through a static New Zealand defence before seeing his chipped shot miraculously saved by Glenn Moss with his head. Then as the match entered stoppage time, substitute Salih hit a fierce drive from 30 yards which was well tipped wide by Moss in the New Zealand goal. From the resulting corner, a toepoke towards goal was cleared off the line by defender Lockwood.
The final whistle saw scenes of jubilation from New Zealand as they gained their first ever point in an International Competition. Iraq will be left to wonder what might have been had they shown the same attacking intent throughout the tournament as they did in the final five minutes of this match.
Iraq - their negative tactics failed to pay off!
