All Whites must be brave against Mexico – Hudson

New Zealand must break goal-drought to have a chance

New Zealand head coach Anthony Hudson attends a training session the day before their Group A match against Mexico in the Russia 2017 Confederations Cup football tournament at the Fisht Stadium in Sotchi on June

20. (AFP) SOCHI, Russia, June 20, (AFP): New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson says the All Whites must be brave against Mexico, knowing defeat on Wednesday will effectively end their Confederations Cup hopes.

Their 2-0 loss to hosts Russia in Saturday’s opening Group A match means Oceania champions New Zealand have now gone a record ten games without a win at the Confederations Cup having left the 1999, 2003 and 2009 editions empty-handed.

Following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Portugal, Mexico are up-beat and favourites to win the showdown in Sochi.

“We went toe-to-toe with the European champions and we managed to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in check,” beamed Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio after Sunday’s draw in Kazan.

In contrast, underdogs New Zealand must break their goal-drought to have a chance against Mexico.

After friendly 1-0 defeats to both Northern Ireland and Belarus en route to Russia, the All Whites have now played three matches in the last two weeks without scoring.

Mexico vs NZ beIN SPORTS

1HD, 11HD Mexico’s defender Hector Moreno vies with Portugal’s forward Ricardo Quaresma during the 2017 Confederations

Cup Group A football match between Portugal and Mexico at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on June 18. (AFP)