Bevan penalty gives NZ first win at Intercontinental Cup
WELLINGTON: Myer Bevan’s firsthalf penalty has been enough for the All Whites to edge Chinese Taipei 10 for their first win at the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai.
New Zealand again created countless scoring opportunities in the first half, but had little to show on the scoreboard for its dominance yesterday.
Bevan’s crucial strike came when he converted a 36thminute penalty after midfielder Sarpreet Singh, who was awarded man of the match after an impressive display, was pulled down in the box during a promising attacking move
Bevan, a 21yearold forward from Husqvarna FF, hit a strong shot into the right corner to score his second goal for New Zealand in his fifth international.
The All Whites again had several attacking chances in the first half which they did not conver , the most notable coming from good crosses from Singh down the right flank.
Coach Fritz Schmid made six changes to the side which lost its opening game to Kenya 21.
Two players making their debuts were goalkeeper Nik Tzanev and 17yearold left back Liberato Cacace.
Chinese Taipei was dangerous on the counterattack with the pace of forward HaoWei Chen a constant threat, but struggled to link in the final third. It resorted to longrange efforts which never troubled Tzanev.
The All Whites should have scored their second in the 55th minute.
After Jai Ingham had been denied by a good save minutes earlier, Singh was played into a threatening position from some good leadup work by Cacace but his shot from close range was deflected over the byline.
Schmid brought on Clayton Lewis, Sam Brotherton, Tim Payne, Adam Mitchell and Noah Billingsley on in the second half, and the fresh legs helped the All Whites close out the game. The win was New Zealand’s first over nonOceania opposition since 2015, when it defeated Oman away from home, and its first victory under Schmid.
New Zealand plays its final pool game tomorrow against India, a match they must win to make the final unless Chinese Taipei upsets Kenya.