The All Whites have drawn their behind-closed-doors game against Oman 0-0 in the side’s final preparation ahead of their FIFA World Cup play-off against Costa Rica.
Details of the match are limited because the teams agreed the game would not be broadcast live and information from the game would be limited to starting line-ups, substitutions and basic descriptions of match incidents.
The game was used by head coach Danny Hay to give some fringe players an opportunity for game time, while providing players with injury issues to either rest or have limited time on the pitch.
Captain Winston Reid, goalkeeper Oli Sail, midfielders Joe Bell and Matt Garbett and wingbacks Liberato Cacace and Niko Kirwan and forward Alex Greive were omissions from the squad while experienced duo Bill Tuiloma (45 mins) and Chris Wood (12 mins) were on the pitch long enough to give confidence to the medical support team.
Coach Hay made nine changes to the team that started against Peru, including Marco Rojas in the All Whites for the first time since 2019.
Oman are rated 75th in the current FIFA world rankings, compared to New Zealand’s 101st ranking.
The match was played behind closed doors at Education City Stadium, in Doha, and it became the first All Whites match for which players qualify for caps that was not broadcast live since New Zealand’s 0-0 draw to Trinidad & Tobago in October 2013.
Match timeline
Here’s how the NZ Football media team reported the game via twitter feeds:
10′ Chance! Francis de Vries fires the ball across the box but Ben Waine can’t quite get there in time to finish.
16′ Chance! A great bit of foot work in the box by Callum McCowatt finds Marko Stamenic on the edge of the box. His well taken shot forces the keeper stretch to get his fingers to it and save.
21′ Callum McCowatt goes down under a heavy tackle but he looks ok to continue.
23′ Another good bit of play by Francis de Vries. A quick one two with Marco Rojas leads to a shot but it hits the side netting.
H-T: We have had the best of the chances but it is goalless at the break in Doha.
45′ Back underway and Danny Hay has made his first change. Tommy Smith is on to replace Bill Tuiloma.
51′ Chance a quick interchange of passing finds Kosta Barbarouses arriving late in the box. His touch goes just over.
55′ Chance for Oman who break from a loose ball in midfield. Their shot is well held by Stefan Marinovic.
62′ Quadruple change for the All Whites.
Joe Champness, Clayton Lewis, Logan Rogerson and Tim Payne are on.
Dane Ingham, Kosta Barbarouses, Marco Rojas and Callum McCowatt are off.
70′ Chance! Marko Stamenic is fouled winning a free kick. Francis de Vries takes and finds the head of Joe Champness who forces the keeper down low to make the save.
78′ Substitution … Chris Wood is on to replace Ben Waine.
F-T: We had the majority of the chances but it ends goalless in Doha.
Result
Game played Friday June 10, 2022 (NZT)
New Zealand 0
Oman 0
Education City Stadium, Doha, Qatar
New Zealand line-up
Stefan Marinovich, Bill Tuiloma (Tommy Smith 46′), Michael Boxall, Francis De Vries, Dane Ingham (Joe Champness 62′), Marko Stamenic, Elijah Just, Callum McCowatt (Tim Payne 62′), Kosta Barbarouses (Clayton Lewis 62′), Marco Rojas (Logan Rogerson 62′), Ben Waine (Chris Wood 78′).
About Oman
Oman are managed by former Croatian international Branko Ivanković (68) who has managed many clubs in a management career of more than 30 years. He’s also held management roles with the Croatian and Iran national sides.
Prior to the game against New Zealand, Oman’s latest international results included a 2-0 win against China (March), a 1-0 win against Vietnam (March), a 2-2 draw with Australia (February) and a 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia (January).
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