New Zealand’s Futsal Whites have come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Vietnam in the first of three tour games in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Futsal Whites are using the Vietnam trip to prepare for their first-ever FIFA Futsal World Cup, in Uzbekistan in September.
Playing at Lanh Binh Thang Stadium, the hosts took an early lead.
However, New Zealand levelled when Waikato Rapids’ Ethan Martin rifled in a fierce shot that was diverted into the net by Australia-based Rahan Ali.
Main photo: Rahan Ali turns to celebrate after his opening goal.
Vietnam got back in front to send them 2-1 ahead at the break.
New Zealand came out blazing in the second half and Martin and Ali combined again for the latter to equalise.
Both sides had chances to win but the 2-2 scoreline was a fair reflection of the match.
New Zealand, ranked #49 in the world, can take confidence from matching Vietnam (#38), especially after a 15-hour flight and only a few days to acclimatise for the series.
The Futsal Whites play Iran (#7) next, on Saturday (NZT), followed by a match-up with Morocco (#8) a day later.
Watch the match
Result
Game played on Thursday March 28, 2024
New Zealand 2 (Rahan Ali (2))
Vietnam 2
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday March 30, 2024
New Zealand v Iran
Lanh Binh Thang Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, 8pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Sunday March 31, 2024
New Zealand v Morocco
Lanh Binh Thang Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, 8pm (NZT)
New Zealand squad
(Caps/goals)
Rahan Ali (12/14) Moreland Futsal, Australia
Mike Antamanov (12/1) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Stephen Ashby-Peckham (41/17) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Sean Beresford* (0/0) Capital Futsal, Aotearoa New Zealand
Jordi Ditfort (23/13) Bloomsbury Futsal, England
Hamish Grey (12/6) Zambu CFS Pinatar, Spain
Hemi Innes (0/0) Canterbury United Dragons, Aotearoa New Zealand
Dylan Manickum (63/37) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ethan Martin (12/8) Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand
Adam Paulsen (12/5) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Thomas Picken (7/1) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Luc Saker (23/4) Capital Futsal, Aotearoa New Zealand
Casey Sharplin (12/5) Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand
Art Twigg (7/3) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Denny Twigg (5/0) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Sam Twigg* (0/0) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
* Indicates a debut Futsal Whites call-up
Withdrawals
Oban Hawkins (20/7) Southern United, Aotearoa New Zealand (injury)
Logan Wisnewski (20/5) Bloomsbury Futsal, England
About the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup
The tournament will be staged in Uzbekistan from September 14 – October 6, 2024.
It will be the 10th Futsal World Cup and 24 teams will participate, including the host nation and New Zealand.
READ MORE: More teams qualify to join Futsal Whites at FIFA Futsal World Cup tournament >>>>
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