After scoring the winning goal for the All Whites in their World Cup warm-up match against Serbia, striker Shane Smeltz says his team will take confidence from the victory but won't become complacent ahead of soccer's showpiece tournament.
Smeltz slotted the ball into the back of Serbia's net in
the 22nd minute of today's match in Austria on the end of a Rory Fallon pass, securing the 78th-ranked All Whites a shock victory against the 15th-ranked Serbians.
Despite the unexpected result, Smeltz said the All Whites would keep their feet firmly planted on the ground as they continued preparations for the World Cup in South Africa.
"We're away from home playing against a top nation in Serbia, who many think are dark horses for the World Cup," Smeltz said.
"We will take some confidence from it but we won't be getting carried away either," he said.
"Everyone realised the team we played tonight are a great side, you only have to look at some of the clubs some of the players are playing for."
The goal was Smeltz' 16th goal in 29 matches for the All Whites, but this was one of the most memorable.
"I think it's right up there," he said.
Smeltz said he and his teammates were still tired after a long trip from Melbourne where they lost 1-2 to Australia last Monday.
"It was tough. I think we woke up this morning feeling not the freshest."
But the All Whites played better than they did against the Socceroos, helped by the three-up-front formation, he said.
He said the All Whites' performance had no doubt "shocked a few people" and put the All Whites where they wanted to be ahead of their opening World Cup match against Slovakia at Rustenburg on June 15.
- NZPA
