New Zealand players celebrate after Matt Garbett scores a goal against Ireland. 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A strong second half performance has earnt the All Whites a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland in an international football friendly in Dublin.
Coach Darren Bazeley said his side stepped up in trying conditions.
"We have just got to get that mindset to be positive in possession, and when we did that second half, I thought we were pretty dominant. We caused them problems. Maybe we were a bit unlucky not to win the game."
Ireland dominated the first half and scored in the 29th minute when New Zealand defender Nando Pijnaker gave away the ball just outside the penalty box and Adam Idah was able to slot the ball past keeper Max Crocombe.
New Zealand finished the first half strongly and then dominated the second 45 minutes.
After some nice interplay outside the penalty box Matt Garbett scored the equaliser in the 59th minute, slotting a shot in the bottom left hand corner of the Irish goal.
The majority of New Zealand's attack centred around midfielder Sarpreet Singh who also managed a couple of shots on goal.
Skipper Chris Wood had few chances to score and was substituted as soon as New Zealand had scored.
Ireland ranked 58th, 45 places higher than New Zealand, lost to the Netherlands 1-nil recently in their final European Championship qualifier at the weekend.
Bazeley said there were plenty of positive signs.
"We want to play at a high tempo. We want to be super-aggressive and brave in possession and play with courage and we're good enough to do that. We've got energy, we're young, we're getting close. We're taking steps forward. It's a big challenge to come somewhere like this against a well coached good team is a big challenge, away from home and a big crowd, that's difficult."
All Whites midfielder Sarpreet Singh in action against the Republic of Ireland, 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand made a number of changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Greece at the weekend, with Max Crocombe starting in goal and defenders Nando and Michael Boxall also starting.
Bazeley said the goal conceded took the gloss off the performance.
"I think today we've taken a step forward, it wasn't perfect. There was a moment about 14-5 minutes into the game where they got on top of us a little bit and we were a littlle bit cautious and then they got the goal which everyone's very disappointed about."
The match also marked the 103rd and last international game for Irish winger James McClean.
Former Republic of Ireland Keith Treacy thought New Zealand was the better of the two sides.
"We are coming up against New Zealand who are 103rd ranked in the world and we haven't been able to open them up," he told RTE Radio.
"We (Ireland) scored quite a lucky goal and they have looked the better team."
It was the seventh and last game of the year for the All Whites.
They scored one win, three draws and three losses.
New Zealand team against Republic of Ireland: Crocombe, Payne, Pijnaker, Boxall, Cacace, Bell, Garbett, Stamenic, Singh, McCowatt, Wood.
Subs: Paulsen, Woud, Wilkins, Just, Champness, Smith, Surman, Greive, Bidon, Waine, Mata, Lewis.
