All Whites please Hudson in warmup
WELLINGTON: The All Whites have continued their Confederations Cup warmup with a 52 win over Irish club side Cabinteely in Dublin.
The win follows New Zealand’s 10 loss to Northern Ireland three days ago, and comes just days before coach Anthony Hudson finalises his team for the tournament in Russia.
Hudson said he was pleased to come through the match without injuries after what had been a physically demanding week for his players.
‘‘I really wanted to see us play at a good intensity because we have had a couple of really strong days in training,’’ he said.
‘‘We were able to do that — I thought the attitude was very good. It wasn’t a terribly easy pitch to play on but there were a lot of positives.
‘‘Tonight was a potential bananaskin game for us, but we did a professional job.’’
The Kiwis hit the front early against Cabinteely, a Marco Rojas corner in the first minute finding Tommy Smith, who headed home from close range.
Marty Waters equalised just three minutes later for the home team with a calm finish from inside the box.
All Whites skipper Chris Wood continued his rich goalscoring form with a quickfire double, but the All Whites’ lead was reduced to one just on halftime.
Bill Tuiloma brought down Evan Galvin in the area, and the winger sent a wellstruck penalty past Kiwi keeper Glen Moss low and to the right.
Hudson made full use of his squad, starting the second half with a newlook team.
The goals kept coming, Kosta Barbarouses slotting home from Tom Doyle’s cross in the 54th minute then turning provider for a Shane Smeltz finish 10 minutes later.
New Zealand has one final hitout, against Belarus in Minsk next Monday, before it begins its Confederations Cup campaign against host Russia, in St Petersburg on June 18. — NZN