Soccer: All Whites learn the hard way

All White Tim Brown scraps for possession. Picture / Reuters

Hungary 2 All Whites 0

Ivan Vicelich marked his return to international duty with a powerhouse midfield performance but even he could do little as the All Whites were given another lesson in the harsh realities of international soccer as they went down to Hungary yesterday.

After a competitive first half the All Whites were twice punished in the second for defensive lapses.

These mistakes by the younger players in the New Zealand defence led to heartbreaking goals and a third straight defeat for the national side after losses in Chile last month.

But, taking into account the standard of the opposition, the short turnaround after the team arrived in Budapest and injuries to key players, it was no surprise that coach Ricki Herbert gave his team a pass mark.

"Yes, a seven or seven and half would be fair," said Herbert. "If I thought it was a four I would tell you.

"Two mistakes cost us. We gifted them that first goal right after halftime and that noticeably knocked [the All Whites'] confidence.

"I thought the first 45 minutes were quite outstanding. Ivan Vicelich dictated and won a lot of ball. The confidence he brought flowed through the team. Unfortunately we were unable to convert that into goals.

"Leo [Bertos] should have scored in the first minute and we had other chances which Chris Killen too failed to finish."

Bertos again showed he is not out of place at this level.

The NZ game plan was disrupted early when Noah Hickey was clattered and departed soon after, forcing Kris Bouckenooghe to the unfamiliar right-back role and a reshuffle elsewhere.

But even with a team who [again] had a new look about them, there were positives for the New Zealanders.

Glen Moss in goal had his best game at this level, pulling off a couple of superb reflex saves including, at 0-1, a penalty, only to see his line breached three minutes later when Imre Szabics provided the finish after Michael Wilson had been exposed at left back, allowing Zoltan Gera to set up Csaba Feher, who fed Szabics.

Hungary had gone ahead early in the spell when central defender Steven Old was dispossessed and Szabolcs Huszti fired home from a tight angle.

The All Whites' performance was a step or two up from what they had shown in Chile and not too far behind their effort in holding Australia 0-0 until the last minute or so in London almost a year ago.

In their short time in the action, young attackers Jarrod Smith and Jeremy Brockie impressed and may come into consideration when Herbert names his team to play Georgia in Germany on Sunday morning.

The coach could look to play a second striker after seeing the difficulties Killen had in taking the lone attacking role against the 76th-ranked Hungary, who play England next week.

Adrian Webster ruled himself out before kick-off as he felt he was still troubled by a sore toe after losing a big toe nail earlier in the week.

He, Hickey and David Mulligan are expected to be considered for the second of the matches on the All Whites' mini European tour.