Head coach Darren Bazeley says he thinks his New Zealand U-23 team fully deserved their 2-1 Olympic Games win against Guinea.
The win was New Zealand’s second-ever victory at an Olympic men’s tournament.
‘I don’t think the players were surprised. When we play well, we’re a good team,” he said.
“I think we’re a dangerous team, still a bit of work to do but today’s a good day.”
Bazeley said Guinea had given New Zealand some problems, especially with their pace, but his side had played good football and created a lot of chances, especially in the first half.
The team reaction to conceding a goal was “immense”, he said.
Bazeley praised captain Matt Garbett for the way he responded to missing his first half penalty, after having the courage to step forward to take it.
Garbett scored within a minute of his spot-kick miss.
The captain said he felt “a bit gutted” after dragging wide his penalty, especially as he had been putting them away at training all week.
He said he was “delighted” to get the chance to score straight after, and it was good for the mentality of the team.
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WATCH: Highlights from New Zealand’s win against Guinea at Olympic Games >>>>
Result
Games played on Thursday July 25, 2024 (NZT)
Guinea 1 (Amadou Diawara 72′)
New Zealand 2 (Matt Garbett 25′, Ben Waine 76′)
WATCH: Highlights from New Zealand’s win against Guinea at Olympic Games >>>>
France 3 (Alexandre Lacazette 61′, Michael Olise 69′, Loic Bade 85′)
United States 0
Olympic fixtures
Group A
Games to be played on Sunday July 28, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v United States
Stade de Marseille, Marseille, 5am (NZT)
France v Guinea
Stade de Nice, Nice, 7am (NZT)
Games to be played on Wednesday July 31, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v France
Stade de Marseille, Marseille, 5am (NZT)
United States v Guinea
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 5am (NZT)
The men’s football tournament at the Olympics
Men’s football at the Olympics is restricted to under-23 players (born on or after January 1, 2000), though each team can select up to three overage players.
Match venues for the tournament are Paris, Bordeaux, Décines-Charpieu (near Lyon), Marseille, Nantes, Nice and Saint-Étienne.
This story was first published on July 25, 2024.
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