Ben Waine had few opportunities in a tough, intense match.
If the All Whites wanted to experience what the Fifa World Cup will be like next year, this was the perfect rehearsal.
It was match of rare intensity, against a formidable, uncompromising opponent and in front of a raucous crowd, perhaps the most fervent atmosphere a New Zealand team has experienced since the 2017 World Cup qualifying playoff against Peru in Lima.
It was also another lesson in switching off at the wrong time, as New Zealand were badly punished for a late lapse, which led to Ecuador’s second goal.
The final result was a 2-0 win to the South American team, with both goals coming in the second half. Nilson Angulo opened the scoring in the 50th minute – sliding in at the far post – before Leonardo Campana sealed the win in the 83rd minute, after the otherwise impressive Marko Stamenic dallied from a short goal kick and lost possession.
Ecuador were good value for their victory, showing why they reached such heights in their World Cup qualifying campaign and the All Whites lived dangerously after the break, with goalkeeper Max Crocombe managing some brilliant saves.
The All Whites best chance fell to Ben Old, who saw his goal bound shot deflected away by a superb defensive block. The lack of opportunities wasn’t really a surprise – given Ecuador are one of the best defensive teams in the world - with only five goals conceded in the 18-match qualifying series – and given Chris Wood and Ryan Thomas weren’t available.
But the execution was disappointing, while it was curious to see Auckland FC winger Jesse Randall limited to 10 minutes at the end, given his current confidence.
Overall, there were encouraging signs for the All Whites. They had to withstand long periods of pressure but mostly did it well and Crocombe, Finn Surman and Tyler Bindon emerged with real credit. There were well organised in what was a difficult assignment, against a team that topped Brazil and Uruguay in World Cup qualifying.
The All Whites were also without a lot of frontline players, who would have made a difference. But it was also a reality check, on the ground still to be made up, ahead of next June.
Bazeley made four changes from the team that started against Colombia, with Ben Waine, Old, Alex Rufer, Bindon introduced for Kosta Barbarouses, Matt Garbett and Michael Boxall respectively. It was Bindon’s first start since the 3-1 loss to Australia in Auckland, while Rufer hadn’t started for 12 months.
After a promising opening few minutes, the All Whites had to weather a storm, struggling to settle into any rhythm for the opening half hour. During that time Ecuador had 80 per cent possession, with the New Zealand side were anchored in their own territory.
But the All Whites were defensively organised, compact and alert, limiting the danger. The best first half opportunity fell to Angulo, who should have scored but flashed his shot across the goal, after the ball had fallen nicely to him at the far post.
At times it felt like All Whites were chasing shadows but mostly they held their ground. There was some neat work in possession – without creating any concrete chances – though Waine wasn’t far away from a Old cross. Storm Roux was introduced in the 41st minute, as Bill Tuiloma limped off.
After all that hard work, the All Whites fell behind five minutes into the second half, with Angulo sliding in at the far post, ahead of Roux, to convert Gonzalo Plata’s driven cross. The opening came after a swift one-two in the area, as Plata got around Francis de Vries.
That goal changed the complexion, bringing the fearsome crowd into the match. It was the cue for more intense pressure, before the All Whites had a golden opportunity out of nowhere. Elijah Just threaded a delightful pass for Old, who skipped inside his marker, only for Willian Pacho to recover and block the shot. It was brilliant play by the Paris St Germain defender, as the shot – aimed towards the far post – probably had the keeper beaten.
That was a rare moment, followed by a sequence of Ecuador chances. Crocombe twice defied Plata – the second a quite brilliant save from a free kick, tipped onto the crossbar – while the woodwork also helped New Zealand, with an angled header from a corner finding the post.
Kosta Barbarouses (Old) and Matt Garbett (Just) were brought on just after the hour, as the All Whites switched to two up front, before Randall, James McGarry and Owen Parker-Price were given a few minutes at the end.
But Ecuador had the final say, with Stamenic robbed after Crocombe had gambled on a short goal kick and Campana was on hand to knock into an empty net.
All Whites 0
Ecuador 2 (Nilson Angulo 50’, Leonardo Campana 83’)
Halftime 0-0
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.