The All Whites fell to a 4-1 defeat against European powerhouse Sweden this morning at Friends Arena in Stockholm in the first of two international friendlies the team will play this FIFA window.  

New Zealand started strongly and opened the scoring after just 7 minutes. Matt Garbett, goal scorer in the last match against China, turned creator with a lobbed pass over the Swedish defence to Callum McCowatt who finished neatly pass the keeper to silence the stadium. 

The All Whites grew in confidence with several further half chances created against the side ranked 78 places above them. 

In the 39th minute it was level. A well placed long range drive from Jesper Karlsson was just out of Oli Sail’s reach. 

Six minutes later it was 3-1 to the hosts as their clinical finishing and experience told with goals from Robin Quaison and a second from Karlsson. 

The second half saw Darren Bazeley’s side push forward to get back into the game with half chances from Liberato Cacace, substitute Max Mata and Callum McCowatt. 

But in the final moments it was Sweden who got the next goal. Manchester United’s Anthony Elanga quickly countering and finishing past Oli Sail two minutes into added time. 

Speaking after the game interim head coach Darren Bazeley was pleased with some of his team’s moments and attacking intent but acknowledged the lessons the team will learn from the match: 

“For nearly 40 minutes of the first half I thought we were really good. We scored a great goal. We started brightly, had a lot of good possession in spells. Created some good chances and we were looking good in the game… 

“But then we got hurt in the transition moments just before half-time. And it’s something that we need to learn from. We knew that they were a strong transition team, very effective team, with players that can hurt you in those moments. We probably just got caught playing a certain style of football in the wrong areas at the wrong time so that’s some we need to learn from.”


Final Score:

Sweden - 4 (39’, 45’ Jesper Karlsson, 44’ Robin Quaison, 90+2’ Anthony Elanga)
New Zealand - 1 (7’ Callum McCowatt)

Article added: Saturday 17 June 2023