Soccer: All Whites learn some lessons

Chile 4 All Whites 1


Shane Smeltz was relieved he had finally broken his All Whites soccer duck with the opening goal in yesterday's 1-4 loss to Chile but just wished it had counted for more.

The 24-year-old AFC Wimbledon marksman silenced an 8000-strong crowd in Rancagua's Estadio El Teniente when he gave the All Whites a shock 14th-minute lead with the first-time finish of Noah Hickey's cross from the right.

It was Smeltz' first goal for New Zealand in his 11th international and the England-based striker said he sniffed an upset after bulging the net.

"I'm obviously rapt with that part of the game. I thought we were cruising at that stage, we were solid all round and to go 1-0 up was a bit of a bonus," he said.

"Even at halftime at 2-1 down I felt we could exploit them a bit at the back but we didn't manage to do that. They really turned it on in the second half and the game got taken away from us, which is something we'll have to address."

Smeltz agreed Chile's two-goal burst just before halftime changed the complexion of the match.

"That's something we're all disappointed with. They really pressured us and they (NZ's mistakes) were all around the box. It's something we'll have to work on as a team."

"To be honest, I hadn't gone into the game thinking I must score. As a striker you're always confident it will come and I was just pleased to do it tonight," Smeltz said.

"I knew Noah had some pace and I just sensed he'd whip in a cross first time. I just had to guide it into the corner. I'm really happy."

Hickey said some serious soul-searching was needed if they were to learn from the game.

The 27-year-old New Zealand Knights utility player agreed the All Whites had blown their early 1-0 lead with sloppy defending as a unit.

"I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say I'm gutted.

"We felt like we let ourselves down because we got ourselves into a good position, a position as an international team that you've got to be able to hold on to."

Hickey said Chile's style was "completely different football compared with what the All Whites usually faced".

"They drag you in when you're defending and then get this last little touch to beat you. They seemed to beat us too often and I don't think we learned from our mistakes. I thought we defended too deep and let them have possession too easily."

Hickey said it was up to every player individually to ensure New Zealand rebounded in tomorrow's second game in Calera.

"I think we need to sit down on our own and think about our own game. Then we need to get together and talk about what we can do better as a unit."

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said there would be some changes to his starting team tomorrow.

- NZPA