All Whites v Egypt player ratings: How the Kiwis performed in the 3-1 loss

How New Zealand players rated in their 3-1 World Cup loss against Egypt at BC Place in Vancouver.

1. Max Crocombe – 5

Made a good save early in the second half to deny Mohamed Salah, and a great effort to prevent a fourth late in the contest. He should have done better with Mostafa Ziko’s 58th-minute equaliser which he could only palm into the back of his net, though, and was let down by the defence in the second half. In terms of distribution, he kept the ball moving quickly, but perhaps could have changed tack and slowed the game down a bit more for his tiring teammates in the final 20 minutes.

2. Tim Payne – 6

Delivered on the money from a corner to assist fellow defender Finn Surman on the opening goal. Made some good tackles and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. Showed some indecision in the immediate build-up to Ziko’s equalising goal when the Egyptian looked set for a clear header at the far post.

16. Finn Surman – 7

Fantastic in the first half with good, strong defence to thwart several dangerous Egyptian attacks, before getting free at a corner for an open header into the back of the net. He was caught in no-man’s land for Egypt’s third, but without his efforts, Egypt probably would have scored a couple more.

5. Michael Boxall – 5

Had a mixed night at the back as he was beaten by the first touch a few times, but scrambled well in the first half to recover and clear the pressure. Slowed down as the game went on which showed when Salah danced around him en route to Egypt’s second, but gave a better account than in his performance against Iran.

13. Liberato Cacace – 6

Got forward and had some good touches in the attack, including one particularly tasty delivery to pick out Chris Wood in the middle. Drew a couple of fouls with the ball at his feet, but like the rest of the defensive line, holes opened up on his watch in the second half. Replaced in the 75th minute, but was another with a better showing than in the draw with Iran.

6. Joe Bell – 4

Turned the ball over but got back to help on defence and made a crucial tackle on Marmoush in the first half. Part of an All Whites triangle that Ziko found plenty of real estate between for the first goal, and was more interested in appealing to the referee, than defending in the lead-up to the second goal.

8. Marko Stamenic – 7

Sent in a couple of great deliveries to create genuine chances for his side in the first half and tracked back to make an impact defensively with a couple of intercepts and a blocked shot. Another quality outing from the Swansea City man.

20. Callum McCowatt – 6

Played some searching balls forward and cleaned up at the back. Rushed up on a 50/50 ball but missed it and conceded a free kick on the edge of the box to earn a yellow card. Forced Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shobeir into action a couple of times. Left the field after 65 minutes before things unravelled for the All Whites.

10. Sarpreet Singh – 4

Got involved early and often, and had a decent chance on goal but couldn’t hit the target. Was booked for defending a little too physically and turned the ball over a few times. Can’t knock the effort, can knock the impact.

11. Elijah Just – 7

Proved to be a real pest for the Egyptians on both attack and defence. He moved well with the ball and created a couple of opportunities in the first half, while he hustled back to make tackles and dispossess the Egyptians. A solid outing to back up his heroics against Iran.

9. Chris Wood – 5

Was a constant presence up front for searching crosses and only got one shot away – a header which he didn’t connect with and sent wide of the goal. He worked hard around the pitch early to provide an option and was good in the air, but found himself caught offside a couple of times and faded out of the game in the second half as the All Whites struggled to get into the attacking third.

Substitutes

19. Ben Old – 6

Would have felt hard done by not to have a foul called against him after contact from an Egyptian player knocked him over in the lead-up to Egypt’s go-ahead goal. Had a few touches and did some good clean-up work.

23. Ryan Thomas – 5

Came into the contest in the 75th minute with his side under the pump and had a couple of good defensive plays.

21. Jesse Randall – 4

On in the 76th minute but struggled to find a way to get involved in the contest from there.

4. Tyler Bindon – 5

A late inclusion but tried to impact the game and got a late shot on target.

3. Francis de Vries – 5

On the pitch in the 85th minute and put some searching balls forward from the back and from the set piece.

Unused: Tommy Smith, Alex Rufer, Lachlan Bayliss, Logan Rogerson, Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Waine, Callan Elliot, Nando Pijnaker, Michael Woud, Alex Paulsen.

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