Wednesday, June 16, 2010

SLOVAKIA 1 - NEW ZEALAND 1


Winston Reid's name will go down in New Zealand's admittedly brief footballing folklore after his injury-time equaliser grabbed his country their first point at a World Cup finals in a 1-1 draw with Slovakia.

Vladimir Weiss' Slovakia appeared set to grab the initiative in Group F in their debut appearance at the World Cup finals as an independent nation, but Reid earned his side a dramatic point at the death in the Rustenburg sun.

As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, Slovakia were licking their lips at the prospect of a two-point lead over Group F favourites Italy and Paraguay courtesy of Robert Vittek's second-half header.

But Reid had other ideas in injury-time as he climbed above the Slovak defenders to mark New Zealand's World Cup return following a 28-year absence in memorable style.

 

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