Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

Match Report

 
 
Serbian scalp the best

Serbian scalp the best

05/29/2010 08:31:45 PM

New Zealand achieved only its second win in Europe when beating Serbia 1-0, courtesy of a Shane Smeltz goal, in a pre-World Cup friendly in Austria.

The All Whites, ranked 63 places below their opponents, have been labelled by many as one of the weakest teams at this year's World Cup in South Africa.

But they made a mockery of that tag as Smeltz, who spent a portion of his career playing non-league football in England, struck the only goal of the game after 22 minutes to down their more fancied opponents in Klagenfurt, Austria.

The result does not augur well for Serbia, which faces Australia - winner over its neighbour last week - in Group D in South Africa, as well as Germany and Ghana.

New Zealand is in Group F with Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia.

The Serbians represent the best scalp New Zealand has gained since FIFA introduced its rankings 18 years ago.

But coach Ricki Herbert was not allowing the side to get ahead of itself.

"It's always been about performance for us, but a win like this over a top-class nation like Serbia is a great bonus," he said.

The win was only the second in Europe for New Zealand.

The win also meant that Herbert has been left with some interesting selection questions to ponder.

"We made four changes and I thought Tommy Smith and Winston Reid, who only have three caps between them, did extremely well at the back alongside the captain [Ryan Nelsen]. Jeremy Christie came into midfield and did well and Chris Wood in his first start against a big team was outstanding," Herbert said.

The game was marred by crowd disruptions with objects thrown onto the pitch and a handful of Serbian fans getting past pitch security.

Serbian captain Vidic had to calm the errant section of the crowd in order for the game to complete the last few minutes.

Goal-scorer Smeltz said the team believed it was capable of results against top teams and it was now focused on its World Cup opener on June 15 against Slovakia.

"It's great to get a win over a nation like Serbia who some are saying are dark horses for the World Cup," he said.

"We'll take some confidence from it obviously, but we won't be getting carried away."

The team moves to Bad Waltersdorf on Sunday (local time) where it will be based ahead of Friday's game with Slovenia.

Meanwhile, a brace from substitute Martin Olsson helped Sweden down Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-2 in a friendly in Gothenburg and Australia's Group D opponent Germany thrashed Hungary 3-0.

Sweden's Scandinavian rivals Norway, which also failed to qualify for the World Cup, also enjoyed a victory - a last-gasp own goal by Montenegro defender Zarko Tomasevic ensuring a 2-1 home win in Oslo.

West Brom defender Gabriel Tamas scored at each end - the latter proving decisive - as his Romania side went down 3-2 to Ukraine at Kiev's Olympic Stadium.

Elsewhere, Heidar Helguson was on target twice as Iceland thumped Andorra 4-0, Faisal Khalil's goal a minute from time secured a 3-0 win for United Arab Emirates over Moldova in Austria, Poland and Finland played out a goalless draw in Warsaw and FYR Macedonia was a 3-1 winner in Azerbaijan.

The United States beat Turkey 2-1, Spain downed Saudi Arabia 3-2 and Slovakia drew with Cameroon 1-1.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

Latest Headlines

 
 
Zambia rises again
Zambia rises again
Football
02/12/2012 11:55:18 PM
Zambia defeated Ivory Coast 8-7 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw on Sunday to ...
 
 
Heart on the verge
Football
02/12/2012 11:17:09 PM
 
Real Madrid extend lead
Football
02/12/2012 11:05:33 PM
 
Jets: No finals focus
Football
02/12/2012 11:00:13 PM
 
Bordeaux clinch thriller
Football
02/12/2012 10:39:07 PM
 
 
 

Your Say

 
 

Galleries

 
 
A-League's Big Wednesday and Round 14
9/01/2012 11:34:12 AM
A huge week of A-League kicked off with 'Big Wednesday' and continued through to round 14 with goals, controversy and send-offs. In case you missed anything, click right on through to get up to speed.