World Cup: Match 12 - Slovakia vs. New Zealand

I woke up (intermittently) to find New Zealand trailing Slovakia by one goal. From what I saw of the game, New Zealand seemed somewhat capable of keeping possession and moved the ball around in mimicry of talented, disciplined, and patient European teams. But their passes weren't crisp enough, their touch not good enough, and they were often forced backward. Eventually, they'd get frustrated and send the ball over the top or simply lose it, so I'm not quite sure what they were accomplishing with their "measured" style of play. Slovakia was able to play some clever through balls and had several threatening chances, but their touch would fail them at the crucial moment or they lacked the killer instinct to strike when the opportunity presented itself. I remember an especially clever give-and-go pass that chipped three defenders and put the runner through one-on-one with the keeper. Unfortunately, the idiot let the ball bounce, unnecessarily, and the defender caught up to the play by the time it came down again.

So with neither team possessing a particularly sharp set of tools, the game seemed destined to expend the rest of time uneventfully. Although my attention was all but lost, I looked up, saw a player retreat from the top of the box, turn and cross it...just perfectly... The ball sailed over the Slovakian defenders to the head of an awaiting New Zealander (Winston Reid). They had had this exact opportunity a few minutes before and the header had been well wide. This time, though, it kissed the post sweetly, and the New Zealand squad exploded with ecstasy. Then I looked at the clock...

Damn, those Kiwis love to score in stoppage time!

A few weeks ago, they seemed destined to draw Australia 1-1 in a pre-cup friendly and then scored right at the death, a stab in the heart from which Australia has apparently yet to recover (lost 1-3 to US in a sloppy game and 0-4 to the German machine).

FUNNY COMMENTARY
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When New Zealand was still trailing:
"New Zealand...faring better than their neighbors in terms of scoreline. But still on the wrong side of it."


"It's alright for the all white...right at the death."