The All Whites have advanced to the Kirin Cup final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama in Yokohama.

Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen proved the hero for New Zealand, producing the decisive save to deny Mijahir Jiménez before veteran defender Michael Boxall smashed home the fifth and final penalty to seal a 5-3 shootout win following a gripping 1-1 draw against the FIFA world no.46 side.

The Kiwis were flawless from the spot, with Tyler Bindon, Marko Stamenic, Moses Dyer, Lachie Bayliss and Boxall all converting confidently to book their place in Monday's final.

New Zealand will now play for silverware against the winner of Japan's clash with Ecuador, which takes place later tonight.

The match had gone to penalties after a hard-fought contest in Yokohama, where momentum swung repeatedly between two committed sides in humid conditions.

After a bright opening from Panama, the All Whites gradually grew into the game through the influence of Chris Wood, whose physical presence caused problems for the Panamanian defence and led to an early penalty appeal that was waved away.

Just as they had in each of their previous two matches during this international window, New Zealand struck first.

A surging run from Callan Elliot created the opening as he found Eli Just in space on the edge of the area. The Swansea City winger slipped a clever pass into Ben Waine, who showed excellent control to bring the ball down on his chest before squaring for Marko Stamenic to tap home from close range.

Panama responded positively and thought they had levelled through José Luis Rodríguez, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The Central Americans continued to push forward, but their attacking intent left gaps at the other end. New Zealand nearly doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Just threaded a perfectly weighted pass for the overlapping Elliot. The defender burst through on goal but dragged his effort wide.

It proved a costly miss.

Having weathered sustained Panamanian pressure, the All Whites were undone on the stroke of half-time. Rodríguez skipped past Elliot on the left before pulling the ball back to Giovany Herbert on the edge of the area, and the midfielder made no mistake, stroking a composed finish beyond Paulsen to level the scores.

With the match finely poised after the break, both sides went in search of a winner as the physicality intensified.

The introduction of Darren Bazeley's substitutes injected fresh energy into the New Zealand performance and nearly produced a breakthrough.

The All Whites' best opportunity of the second half arrived in the 70th minute when Logan Rogerson burst down the right flank before cutting the ball back to substitute Lachie Bayliss. A superb first touch opened up space for a shot, but Bayliss' curling effort drifted agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

Panama also created chances during a tense closing period, but New Zealand's defensive resilience and Paulsen's assured goalkeeping ensured the scores remained locked at 1-1 at full-time.

The shootout belonged to the All Whites.

Bindon confidently converted the opening penalty to set the tone before Stamenic, Dyer and Bayliss followed suit.

After Paulsen's crucial save from Jiménez handed New Zealand the advantage, Boxall stepped up and emphatically dispatched the winning spot kick, sending the All Whites into the Kirin Cup final and one victory away from lifting the trophy.
 

Full Time

All Whites 1 (Marko Stamenic 13’)

Panama 1 (Giovany Herbert 45' +1)

All Whites win 5-3 on penalties.

Article added: Thursday 01 October 2026