Sloppy defending in the opening half-hour proved costly for New Zealand as they were beaten 4-1 by the United States in their second group game at the Olympic Games.
The OlyWhites conceded three goals in the early stages of their Stade de Marseille encounter, failing to clear balls into the box.
A Jesse Randall goal in the second half restored some pride for New Zealand but the side now needs other results to go their way if they are to go further in the men’s tournament.
Main photo: Jesse Randall fires his shot past United States’ goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
The United States struck early when a free kick was played into the New Zealand penalty area.
Nathan Harriel controlled the ball and looked for a way between defenders but New Zealand captain Matt Garbett trailed a leg, and Harriel went down.
Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg had no hesitation and pointed to the penalty spot.
Djordje Mihailovic steered the ball to his right as goalkeeper Alex Paulsen dived the other way, and the Americans had settled their nerves with an early lead.
Four minutes later, they doubled their lead, and it started again with a free kick pumped into the New Zealand box.
The ball bobbled around as both sides sought to get control but United States defender Walker Zimmerman crashed it into the net from close.
New Zealand produced a double chance midway through the first half when Garbett fired a vicious shot from 35 metres that was parried by ‘keeper Patrick Schulte, sending the ball high above him.
Tyler Bindon was the first player to reach the ball but his header looped over the crossbar.
Sloppy defending cost New Zealand a third goal on the half hour when another ball into their box wasn’t immediately cleared. A first shot ricocheted off a defender; the rebound was blocked; Gianluca Busio toe-poked the third attempt into the net, his shot taking a deflection off Paulsen’s leg.
The half-time stats told the story.
Though New Zealand had enjoyed 56% of possession, their opponents had made better use of the ball, producing seven shots, of which five were on target.
New Zealand had managed four shots, of which two were on target.
The United States increased their lead to 4-0 in the 58th minute when substitute Griffin Yow raced down the left and fed the ball to Paxten Aaronson. The striker had time to control the ball and shoot between the legs of defender Finn Surman, giving Paulsen little chance.
Minutes later, the United States had the ball in the net again but an offside flag saved New Zealand from a fifth goal.
New Zealand pulled back a goal in spectacular fashion after 77 minutes when Garbett found substitute Jesse Randall in the penalty area.
Randall swivelled on the ball, firing it high into the net.
While the match result may have been a lost cause, Randall’s goal could become an important factor if goal difference becomes a factor in deciding which two teams progress to the quarter-finals.
Final match stats showed New Zealand had 49% of the game’s possession.
The OlyWhites had eight shots (four on target) while the United States had 17 shots (eight on target).
Match highlights
Results
Group A
Games played on Sunday July 28, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand 1 (Jesse Randall 78′)
United States 4 (Djordje Mihailovic 8′ pen, Walker Zimmerman 12′, Gianluca Busio 29′, Paxten Aaronson 58′)
France 1 (Kiliann Sildillia 76′)
Guinea 0
Fixtures
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 28, 2024.
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