Player ratings: All Whites v Mexico - 1st leg

Herald on Sunday football writer Michael Burgess rates the All Whites' performances in the first playoff leg against Mexico.

Glen Moss 7.5
Crucial error for first goal, which was critical and was hesitant on some crosses. But also managed several world class saves - when completely isolated - and won the respect of the home crowd by the end of the game.

Tony Lochhead 4
You had to feel some sympathy for the much maligned Lochhead, facing Mexico at the Azteca after virtually no football since the end of the last A-League season. Showed courage to keep fronting up, though well out of his depth. Great block to save a goal early in first half.

Tommy Smith 5.5
Difficult to assess. Part of a back three that for periods of the game defended extremely well, given the virtual non-stop attacks and little protection in front of them. But set piece defence and marking from crosses was poor.

Ivan Vicelich 5.5
Managed several crucial interventions and was well often positioned well to break up Mexican forays. One of the few players who looked composed on the ball. Like his team-mates, performance dipped in second half as game opened up.

Andrew Durante 5.5
One last ditch tackle saved a certain goal, while his mistakes contributed to two of the first three goals. Strong effort in first 30 minutes.

Leo Bertos 4.5
Struggled to contain opposite number and badly caught out for third Mexican goal. Worked hard.

Jeremy Brockie 5
Still yet to replicate club performances at international level. High workrate but some poor touches squandered possession on the rare occasions when the All Whites had the ball.

Michael McGlinchey 4
Poor. Strangely subdued performance from the usually dynamic Central Coast Mariner. Not suited to the tactics employed by the visitors but still struggled to get into the game or onto the ball and had little influence on the match.

Jeremy Christie 4
Puzzling selection and added little. Outpaced or out-thought by opponents and lack of composure when on the ball.

Kosta Barbarouses 7
Strong performer. Worked tirelessly up and down the flank. Looked likely to spark something and coped better with the altitude than most of his team-mates. Slide rule pass for Wood was close call in first half, though perhaps should have gone himself.

Chris Wood 6
Difficult job leading the line, with extremely limited supply. Showed a willingness to work hard and created one good chance early in the second spell

Chris James 7
Added spark when he came on and looked willing to play his natural game. Entered at a time when the game had opened up but looked less overawed than many of his team-mates. Passed well and his goal was a good reward for effort.

Rory Fallon 5.5
Won the header which led to James' goal but struggled to get into the game during his 25 minutes on the field.

Marco Rojas 6
Noticeably affected by the altitude as he entered the game in the 53rd minute. Short of match play but still looked dangerous on the ball.