Soccer: Battling Kiwis win ultimate compliment

The All Whites were handed a footballing lesson - in a complimentary manner - in going down to Brazil at the Stade de Geneva yesterday.

Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira paid the New Zealanders the ultimate compliment by fielding the team who will kick off their World Cup defence against Croatia in a week. All Whites coach Ricki Herbert responded just as positively by naming an attacking 4-4-2 formation with dual strikers Vaughan Coveny and Chris Killen.

The supercharged atmosphere only added to the occasion as, from the first whistle, the New Zealanders sought to make the early running.

They won the first corner of the match after just 56 seconds and had another within four minutes, forcing four of the first five corners.

In the third minute, Brazil showed it was to be no simple kick in the park. Seizing a half chance, Roberto Carlos tested All Whites goalkeeper Glen Moss, who did well to push the dipping ball away for a corner.

Both goalkeepers had early work but Dida always appeared to have more time and less pressure.

Led by front-runners who seemingly attacked from anywhere at will - and the All Whites defence would have expected no less from Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Adriano - Brazil always gave the impression they were simply biding time.

Denied by stout defensive work (undone when captain Danny Hay's involvement ended in the 25th minute after tearing a stomach muscle) and by the brilliance of Moss in goal, the Brazilians had to wait 42 minutes before they could break the deadlock.

Kaka beat Leo Bertos on the right, broke to the by-line and pulled back a pinpoint pass to Ronaldo who buried it under Moss' despairing dive. Troubled by blisters, that was Ronaldo's last involvement, replaced by Robinho.

That goal was heartbreaking for the All Whites who had managed at least one 45-minute spell without conceding in their previous three tour matches. The inherent ability of the world champions to slip up a gear at will tested the All Whites' mettle.

Their task became even more difficult when an interchange of short passes caught the defence square and Adriano fired home for 2-0 less than five minutes into the second spell.

Refusing to surrender despite almost incessant pressure, the All Whites held out until the 84th minute when, from the only corner they forced in the half, the ball swung away and Kaka was able to race clear, draw Moss and clinically provide the finish.

Moss could do little when left isolated two minutes into added time as Juninho converted for a second 4-0 win over the All Whites (the last was 24 years ago at the World Cup).

The statistics will show the Brazilians won comprehensively . They will not show the extent to which the All Whites competed and refused to be overawed, especially in the opening 30 minutes.