Soccer: Praise for NZ as Olympic bid fails

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand's bold Olympic soccer bid ended with yet another chapter in the "almost but not quite" tradition as they slumped 0-1 to South Africa in Johannesburg yesterday.

The much-lauded home side got through with a late goal from substitute Daniel Matsau to wrap up the home-and-away series 4-2 on aggregate after the South Africans won the first leg 3-2.

"It was not too bad," said New Zealand under-23 coach Ken Dugdale. "It was a good game and a very even contest. The players rose to the occasion and did not panic. The people at home can join us [the coaching staff] in being very proud of their efforts.

"The atmosphere - with a crowd of about 25,000 - was electric. They were very noisy and very close to the pitch.

"The people in South Africa are amazed we can put out a team like we have. They are absolutely amazed at the standard of football we played.

"It is obvious we have players here who will push on [to play for the All Whites] but it is just as obvious our domestic football is not going to bridge the gap. It was no disgrace to lose to South Africa.

"To almost draw with a team who had such a great preparation and who have won every game they have played at the Vosloorus Stadium was a really good effort," Dugdale said.

Kris Bouckenooghe, who started up-front in place of the suspended Paul Urlovic, was just wide with an early header from a Noah Hickey cross.

"We were just unfortunate we couldn't finish off a couple of times in the first half hour," said Kiwi skipper Ryan Nelsen - who turned in another superb performance despite playing with a heavily strapped knee. "If we had, the story might have been different."

The South Africans were a lot livelier than at their showing at North Harbour Stadium and tore into the early exchanges determined to show they could take the plucky New Zealanders apart.

Bouckenooghe and Chris Killen up-front, Jeff Campbell and Hickey in the midfield and goalkeeper Chris Marsh impressed in a well-organised, positive effort.

"Kris Bouckenooghe and Chris Killen worked their backsides off," Dugdale said. "Noah Hickey at times showed his ability and Gerard Davis fitted in well in his switch back to fullback."

Marsh denied South Africa two scoring opportunities with outstanding saves. Midfield star Quinton Fortune had one golden chance and Lebohang Kukame broke through in the 53rd minute only to have his attempt parried.

Matsau's introduction, for Kukame in the 82nd minute, broke the deadlock when the South Africans intercepted a misdirected Campbell pass and sent Matsau away to score.

South Africa join Nigeria, Cameroon and Morocco as the African qualifiers for the Sydney Olympics.