Soccer: Unforgettable day for All Whites

All Whites Vaughn Coveny (left) and Noah Hickey challenge Ronaldinho in Geneva yesterday. Picture / Reuters

Brazil 4 All Whites 0

Ricki Herbert and Glen Moss left the Stade de Geneva with their heads held high after the All Whites' gritty effort against world champions and World Cup favourites Brazil.

For Herbert it was a feeling of a job well done over the four matches of the European tour, for Moss it was the satisfaction of being named man of the match - and having Brazilian goalkeeper Dida's shirt as a souvenir.

"We had a quick chat in the tunnel afterwards," said Moss, who had pulled off some spectacular saves in keeping New Zealand in the game.

"I wished him all the best for the World Cup. He congratulated me on the saves I had made.

"He is a bit of an idol of mine. I don't mind AC Milan [Dida's club] either."

Of more pressing concern now for Moss is his search for a club.

Discarded by the New Zealand Knights - a move which bewildered many - Moss is "unattached" and desperate to secure a contract.

"I was not here for the money but the experience. I don't think I've ever been busier although I did play for the Knights this season," said Moss in reflecting on his three tour outings.

"When you play a team like Brazil they [shots] come pretty quick. I did some good things out there, some bad. In the first 30 minutes we put it on them.

"It has been good playing behind the defences we have put out there. Everyone gels so well."

Even before the tour finale, there had been interest in Moss.

But still nothing definite, he admitted yesterday.

"A couple of agents have approached me and hopefully we can sort something out in the next few days," said Moss, who added he was "definitely bugged" by the Knights' decision not to re-sign him.

"My intention was to come back to New Zealand [from Australia]. I feel let down. I now want to play in the best possible environment, whether that is in Europe or the A-League.

"But, on a more positive note, I count my blessings that at the age of 23 I have played Brazil. I will never forget that. We created history with our win over Georgia. A lot of credit must go to [chief executive] Graham Seatter and New Zealand Soccer for putting us in this position."

It must be hoped that Moss does get a contract and the recognition for his work, unlike the raw deal goalkeeper Frank van Hattum got after the 1982 World Cup when he received an offer to go to Holland but was stymied by his club here, who refused to release him.

For Herbert, too, it has been a job well done.

As the first New Zealand-born coach in living memory, he and his players broke new ground.

Asked about the feeling in the dressing-room after yesterday's game, Herbert said it was one of "you can't benchmark yourself better than playing the best in world", adding: "It was a tough 90 minutes, a tough tour".

Herbert took satisfaction from the performance against the Brazilians.

"I think initially we took the game to them. We have shown over here we can compete with teams ranked between 50-80 [and New Zealand are closer to 120].

"We are never going to be in the top 10 but teams ranked way above us have been beaten by four, six or even seven goals in other matches here.

"It is great to be playing international football.

"We have gone from one game in 2005 to eight this year in which we backed up our first international win in Europe with a draw.

"I am absolutely delighted we have achieved what we have without players like Ryan Nelsen, Tony Lochhead, Duncan Oughton, Simon Elliott and Mark Paston. That can only be good when you look ahead to our World Cup qualifiers next year."

How the game unfolded

1min: New Zealand win corner but ball from Bertos misses target and goes out for throw.

2min: Roberto Carlos shot out of nothing, Moss gets hand to ball.

5min: NZ corner after good run by Coveny. Half chance behind for goal-kick.

8min: Ball slipped through to Killen, Dida out to clear.

14min: Ronaldinho free on edge of penalty area. NZ back to defend.

21min: Ronaldinho freekick after Emerson fouled by Bouckenooghe. Moss palm for throw.

24min: Hay off injured (torn stomach muscle). Bunce on.

29min: Coveny cross to Killen headed down, Dida gathers.

37min: Brazil freekick edge of area, Vicelich foot out to clear for corner.

44min: Kaka deep on right, pulls ball back to Ronaldo to guide home under despairing effort from Moss, Brazil 1-0.

47min: Good NZ pressure, Dida blocks ball back, then headed over.

48min: Coveny shot, Lucio clear off line after Dida caught off line.

50min: NZ defence caught square after Cafu had won ball from Bouckenooghe and found Adriano, who fired high into goal, Brazil 2-0.

79min: Bunce off after head clash with Moss elbow (de Gregorio sub).

84min: NZ corner, only one of the half, cleared to Kaka, who outstripped retreating defence before drawing Moss and whipping home, Brazil 3-0.

92min: Juninho (on for Roberto Carlos in 65min) capitalised when Brockie and de Gregorio gave up possession on halfway and found Moss isolated and scored, Brazil 4-0.

94min: Substitute James whipped over good cross, Brown heads over crossbar.

All Whites In 2006

* In Christchurch: Beat Malaysia 1-0 (S. Old).
* In Auckland: Beat Malaysia 2-1 (C. Banks, A. Barron).
* In Rancagua: Lost to Chile 1-4 (S. Smeltz).
* In Calera: Lost to Chile 0-1.
* In Budapest: Lost to Hungary 0-2.
* In Germany: Beat Georgia 3-1 (V. Coveny 2, C. Killen).
* In Tallinn: Drew with Estonia 1-1 (D. Hay).
* In Geneva: Lost to Brazil 0-4.