New Zealand have opened their men’s Olympic Games campaign with a well-executed 2-1 win against Guinea in France.
Captain Matt Garbett and striker Ben Waine scored the goals for the OlyWhites, but an impressive defensive performance led by goalkeeper Alex Paulsen provided the platform for the win at the Stade de Nice.
New Zealand’s first opportunity came after VAR confirmed a penalty should be awarded when Sam Sutton was brought down by Guinea goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla.
However, Garbett missed from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, firing wide of the left upright.
A minute later, the skipper redeemed himself, scoring his side’s first goal at the tournament.
After half-time, Guinea set about trying to find an equaliser, and they appeared to have done that when they found the net in the 62nd minute. This time, VAR showed a Guinea player offside in the build-up, and New Zealand retained their lead.
The Africans finally got their goal in the 72nd minute when Amadou Diawara fired a shot past Paulsen from 24 metres.
The New Zealanders kept their heads and retained possession, building from the back.
Their patience paid off when Lachlan Bayliss darted into the box and set up Waine, whose fierce finish few into the roof of the net in the 76th minute.
Both coaches worked their subs’ benches, and UAE referee Adel Naqbi played an agonising 13 minutes of added time before the final whistle confirmed New Zealand’s victory.
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Main photo: Ben Waine celebrates his winning goal.
Result
Games played on Thursday July 25, 2024 (NZT)
Guinea 1 (Amadou Diawara 72′)
New Zealand 2 (Matt Garbett 25′, Ben Waine 76′)
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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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