New Zealand A lost star midfielder Chris James before kickoff and had two goals disallowed before succumbing 1-0 to hosts Vietnam in their opening match of the Agribank Cup soccer championship today.
Vietnam claimed victory at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi thanks to a powerful 15th minute strike
by Le Cong Vinh low to the left of New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston.
New Zealand went into the match just hours after putting James on a flight back to London where the All Whites and Fulham reserve team midfielder will seek treatment for a mystery rash.
Coach Stu Jacobs was happy with New Zealand A's performance given the disruption, if not the result.
"You never want to get beat but I think our boys did pretty fantastically really," Jacobs said.
"But when you consider it was the full Vietnam national team and we had nine 19-year-olds out there, I think they did awfully well."
New Zealand's next match is against Thailand tomorrow.
Thailand lead the invitation tournament on goal difference from Vietnam after beating Bahrain's Olympic (under-23) squad 3-0 in the early game overnight.
Results
Vietnam 1 New Zealand A 0, Thailand 3 Bahrain Olympic Squad 0.
- NZPA
