Valiant All Whites fall short of World Cup qualification

The All Whites World Cup dream is over following a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in this morning’s intercontinental playoff in Doha.

Bill Tuiloma in action
Photo: Photosport

The victory books Costa Rica’s place at the World Cup later this year, along with $16.5 million dollars in prize money.

The South Americans scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in just the third minute through a scrappy break away goal .

The All Whites responded well and thought they’d scored an equaliser through striker Chris Wood late in the first half, only for the goal to be ruled out by the video assistant referee, with a New Zealand player deemed to have committed a foul in the build-up.

Chris Wood celebrates his goal that was later ruled out by the VAR
Photo: Tom Kirkwood

All Whites replacement player Kosta Barbarouses was given a red card in the 67th minute for a lunging tackle, further hampering New Zealand’s chances of levelling the score.

The All Whites had a couple more shots on goal in the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net, with Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas holding his nerve and keeping a clean sheet.

Costa Rica are the 32nd and final team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and will join Group E with Germany, Japan and Spain.

New Zealand have been to just two World Cups, 1982 in Spain and 2010 in South Africa.

RNZ