Soccer: All Whites deserve better, says captain

Danny Hay

Danny Hay left Budapest's Szusza Ferenc Stadion on Thursday happy enough with the All Whites' effort in holding Hungary to 2-0 in the opening match of their European tour.

But the All Whites captain, who turned in a reasonably solid central defensive effort, was nowhere near as enthusiastic about the public reaction back here which he felt offered little or no support or recognition for the team's performance.

"I find it amazing that 95 per cent of talkback people will support rugby and bag the soccer team," said Hay from Germany, where the national side are preparing for tomorrow's game against Georgia.

"In the past few weeks we have played twice in Chile and now over here in countries where football is watched by millions who at least acknowledge our efforts.

"Yet people in New Zealand still can't accept what we have achieved. It really angers me.

"It is the one negative about New Zealand and our game."

Hay said he expected coach Ricki Herbert would have close to a full squad to select from for the game in Altenkirchen. The only one in doubt is Noah Hickey, who was clattered in the opening minutes in Budapest and limped off.

"Noah seems a lot better but it is hard to tell whether he will be fit," said Hay.

With David Mulligan now ready to play, the loss of Hickey at right back can be covered. "David [Mulligan] is looking pretty good - wherever he is asked to play," said Hay, who said the team had had other minor hiccups including a delayed flight from Budapest to Frankfurt to contend with.

He said he expected Georgia to play a similar style to Hungary.

"From what we know, they will be big guys and reasonably physical.

"They will have a good structure but maybe not be as classy as Hungary."

Asked what needs to happen to turn things around and score that much-awaited breakthrough victory in Europe, Hay was to the point.

"If we play like we did in the first half [against Hungary], finish the chances we create and cut out silly individual errors we can win," he said.

Referring to Steven Old's hesitancy and failure to clear the ball which quickly led to Hungary's second goal, Hay said: "While it was not great that happened, Steven will learn from it and [it will] make him a better player.

"You need to go through experiences like that as a young player to learn."

Of his own fitness, given his lack of match play, Hay said he had got through the game "reasonably well" but found the last 10 minutes hard as the game opened up following that second Hungarian goal.

"If you take into account the travel jet lag and the fact that we were playing away from home, it was all-in-all a pretty satisfactory effort."

Hay was quick to praise goalkeeper Glen Moss, describing his play against Hungary as outstanding.

"He did not have much to do until the last 20 minutes," said Hay.

"He did very well.

"I just hope he picks up a club, he deserves that. I find it amazing he is out of work."

While Herbert has yet to name his starting lineup for the second tour match, Hay said he expected veteran striker Vaughan Coveny to play, adding, "I don't see any harm in changing things a bit to include two players up front.

"The next move is for us to be more positive."

The All Whites game against Georgia in Altenkirchen, Germany, starts at 3am tomorrow.

Europe Tour

Result and fixtures:

v Hungary lost 2-0.

v Georgia, tomorrow.

v Estonia, Thursday.

v Brazil, June 5.