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U.S. downs New Zealand Americans open Confed Cup with 2-1 victory
Posted: Sunday July 25, 1999 08:38 AM
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) -- Now comes the hard part. The United States easily topped a weak New Zealand team 2-1 in its Confederations Cup opener Saturday, but didn't show the kind of flair it will need to beat its next two opponents: Brazil and Germany. "I wanted more goals, and we missed this opportunity," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena. "It could have been different. "I'm happy with the three points [for the victory], but disappointed in the final result," said Arena. "We felt we played well enough to win by a few more goals." The goals came as spurts of action in an otherwise slow, defensive game. Neither team played the kind of soccer seen in the first match of the double-header, Brazil's 4-0 win over Germany. A young Brazilian squad missing many of its big stars played a scoreless, defensive first half to tire the Germans and fired up in the second with flashy offense that easily bested their weary opponents. The United States and New Zealand are considered the weaker two in the Guadalajara group, and Arena had said the United States needed this win if it were to have any hopes of advancing in the tournament. He has noted that with a win against New Zealand and a tie against Brazil or Germany, the team could theoretically advance to the semifinals. "In the next game, against Brazil, we'll look for a tie," he said. "Brazil proved today that they are one of the best teams in the world," said Arena. "It will be a great challenge and a great experience for us as a team." Added Brian McBride, who scored the Americans' first goal: "We expect a very strong game from Brazil, and we'll have to work harder, because they play a very fast game." The top two teams of each group will advance, along with the top two of the Mexico City group. The first games in Mexico City -- Mexico vs. Saudi Arabia and Bolivia vs. Egypt -- will be played Sunday. The Americans dominated from the start. Their first goal came in minute 25, when John Harkes passed up the middle and McBride headed the ball in from a distance. Twelve minutes into the second half, Eddie Lewis centered a corner kick and forward Jovan Kirovski headed the ball into the net to the right of New Zealand goalie Michael Utting. The Americans had a few offensive plays in the beginning, but after their first goal they switched to a more defensive game. New Zealand was never able to capitalize, and even when they were down 2-0 played defensively. New Zealand's only goal was somewhat of a fluke: a free kick in the final minute of the game that Chris Zoricich fired into the net to Keller's left. "The United States showed their experience and their ability, but I'm very satisfied with the effort of my players," New Zealand coach Ken Dugdale said. "We created some opportunities on goal, but we were very nervous." Dugdale had predicted an upset, saying he hoped to finish first in the group. After Saturday's game that was obviously unrealistic. The crowd clearly favored New Zealand, booing every time the Americans got the ball and roaring when New Zealand made a drive. Fans yelled, "Get out! Get out!" at a 9-year-old boy who bought a U.S. flag from a vendor. "I'm rooting for New Zealand because they're the underdog. And I'm against the United States because they teat the Mexicans who go up there badly," said Ricardo Hernandez, a 21-year-old student. Many in the near-capacity crowd at the 58,000-seat Jalisco Stadium left at the conclusion of the Brazil-Germany game, and most of the rest trickled out during the second match, bored by the slow pace.
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