All Whites beaten

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson experienced a mixture of emotions as his team was beaten 2-1 by Mexico at the Confederations Cup yesterday (NZ time).

That ended New Zealand’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages after an opening 2-0 defeat to Russia who then lost yesterday to Portugal 1-0, the All Whites final pool play opponent on Sunday.

But Hudson had also witnessed a hugely improved performance from his charges, who held a 1-0 lead at halftime in Sochi and played with a physicality, energy and creative attitude so lacking in that loss to the tournament hosts only four days prior.

It may not have been perfect, and not enough for the world No 95 Kiwis to halt the charge of the 17th-ranked Mexicans in the second spell, but it was an effort which proved the All Whites are capable of pushing the big teams on the big stage.

Hudson assessed the performance as ‘‘deeply disappointing’’ but ‘‘incredible’’ all at the same time. ‘‘We’re in the changing room and everyone is incredibly disappointed and felt we should have got more from the game,’’ he said.

After roaring from behind in the second half, Mexico probably deserved to win the match as their coach Juan Carlos Osorio surmised. The Central American heavyweights had 22 shots to New Zealand’s 10, were 10-4 to the better in the on-target stakes and ended with 66 per cent of possession.

However, the All Whites were the better team in the first 45 minutes and could easily have got a draw, or even more. Captain Chris Wood scored the game’s opening goal but spurned two other golden chances, while yet-again outstanding midfielder Ryan Thomas rattled a long-range strike off the cross bar as fulltime loomed.