Soccer: All Whites $2m, Australia 0

By TERRY MADDAFORD

A New Zealand team, down and almost out for the first half hour dragged themselves off the canvas to deliver a US$1 million 1-0 knockout blow to Australia in yesterday's Oceania Nations Cup final at Ericsson Stadium.

The victory broke a 13-year drought in New Zealand for the All Whites and booked them a place in next year's rich Confederations Cup.

It also showed the benefits of a better preparation and, in the end, superior fitness.

The victory capped a great weekend for transtasman rivalry.

Like the All Blacks' win less than 24 hours earlier, it was a no-frills victory achieved by sheer guts and hard work.

It was a battle - one the Australians could have wrapped up in those first 30 minutes.

And, in the end, it was a classic contest.

It was hardly surprising that the deadlock was broken by a piece of individual brilliance.

After failing to convert a Simon Elliott freekick a minute or two earlier, US-based Ryan Nelsen made no mistake when he ghosted in behind the Australian defence to stab home Aaran Lines' curling 82nd minute left-foot freekick.

Nelsen later tagged it the biggest goal of his career.

But he added: "It was not a striker's goal but one any centre-back would be proud of."

This tended to back suggestions the ball flew into the Australian goal from Nelsen's shinpad rather than his boot.

The goal drained any remaining fight from the Socceroos and left the All Whites with few worries in running the clock down.

The victory rekindled memories of rare New Zealand triumphs against a country they first played in 1922 - a game won 3-1 by New Zealand.

Their last victory at home, 2-0 at the same ground, was the first leg of the 1989 World Cup qualifiers.

The All Whites last win in any match against Australia was four years ago - also 1-0 - in the Nations Cup final in Brisbane.

It was never pretty, but as the fifth game in a little over a week for both sides few were expecting much more.

The opening minutes were all Australia as a tentative New Zealand side struggled to make any impact.

Joel Porter should have scored in the ninth minute, but was denied by a great blocking save by Jason Batty.

Damian Mori had a half chance five minutes later and another seconds later when he just failed to reach Porter's cross to the far post.

Accepting those let-offs, the All Whites retrenched and looked to rebuild.

But they rarely threatened to make much impact against a powerful Australian midfield led by Scott Chipperfield and Angelo Costanzo.

The Australian team were well shy of their best, and coach Frank Farina stacked them with defenders.

But they still had enough go-forward to put the home side under pressure.

Tahitian referee Charles Ariiotima handed New Zealand free kicks at the rate of almost two-to-one, but the Australians were ahead 4-3 on the corner count and 7-4 to the good on shots at goal.

Those statistics were not reflected on the scoreboard, which in the end showed only one winner - the team ranked in the 80s in the world taking the honours from one ranked almost 40 places higher.

The experience provided by Nelsen, Elliott and Ivan Vicelich was invaluable as the New Zealanders fought back and eventually won.

Others, such as Duncan Oughton and Gerard Davis continued to impress.

Mark Burton was judged the tournament's most valuable player.



A not fully-fit captain Chris Zoricich struggled to find the pace he needed but still fought courageously, as did Chris Jackson in the engineroom.

Chris Killen, probably a pace or two below that required to be regarded as a top international striker, improvised his game in falling back in his search for possession. Australia could - maybe should - have won.

That they did not was credit to the excellent work done by coach Mick Waitt and his assistant Ricki Herbert off the pitch and the 12 committed players on it.

The 12th was James Bannatyne, brought into the action for the last 30 minutes when Batty limped off after slipping.

He denied Mori a 75th-minute score with a reflex push over the crossbar.

That typified the spirit of this side who chased a dream and last night saw it fulfilled.