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Shane Smeltz celebrates - Source: Photosport -
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Join tvnz.co.nz's Alex Coogan-Reeves for live updates of the friendly international between the All Whites and Mexico in Denver, Colorado today.
Full time Mex 3 - NZ 0
And that's that, despite the television clock only saying 88 minutes had passed the referee has called fulltime. The All Whites will be pleased with a much improved second-half performance, but were thoroughly outclassed by a superior Mexican side.
New Zealand won't have much time to dwell on the loss however as they board a plane to Adelaide where they will take on the Socceroos on Sunday night.
READ THE FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
88:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
Almost another goal for the Mexicans, Francisco Javier Rodriguez fired a shot in from a corner and it seemed to ricochet off everything without going in the net.
81:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
The All Whites are looking fired up in the closing stages of this match. The official attendance has come in as 45,041. Far from a sellout in the 90,000 capacity Invesco Field, but a solid turn out.
74:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
A brief spark from Mexico is shut down well by Sigmund and Reid.
For the most part the Mexicans look pretty content to sit on their
lead while the All Whites have pushed up a bit and are showing some
attacking intent.
70:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
More changes from Herbert. Ben Sigmund and Aaron Clapham replace Andy Boyens and Simon Elliott.
66:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
Another good moment for New Zealand. Chris Killen showed some nice foot work before Mulligan sent a nice cross into the box but Brockie's shot was high. The substitutions seem to have worked.
62:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
Back-and-forth period of play here with neither side really mounting any meaningful attacks. The All Whites defence seem more alert and are making it harder for the Mexican strikers to get in behind them. Michael McGlinchey has replaced Chris Wood, this may cause a change in formation.
55:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
New Zealand finally get their first chance of the match. The cross came in to an unmarked Chris Wood, but he was unable to direct his touch into the net.
50:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
Mulligan receives the first booking of the match as he picks up a yellow card for a brash tackle on Carlos Salicido. A scuffle breaks out which is a shame as the game has been pretty tidy so far.
47:00 Mex 3 - NZ 0
The second half is underway and it's started exactly the same way as the first with Mexico straight into their work on attack. A few changes from Ricki Herbert at half-time, David Mulligan, Chris Killen and Jeremy Brockie have all been brought in for Michael Boxall, Shane Smeltz and Michael Fitzgerald.
Half-time Mex 3 - NZ 0
Well halfway through and Ricki Herbert certainly has plenty to think about in the break. The All Whites have been completely outplayed so far. This Mexican side looks sharp and are pouncing on all of New Zealand's defensive errors. If it wasn't for Glen Moss in goal New Zealand could have been in an even bigger hole.
On attack the All Whites mid-field look out of ideas and have been incapable of creating any chances.
44:00 GOAL Mex 3 - NZ 0
Just as I say that Mexico strike again. Fitzgerald played de Nigris on-side allowing Barrera to get the cross in to him for another easy goal.
42:00 Mex 2 - NZ 0
The All Whites have had the ball in Mexico's half for the first time in what feels like forever. However they look too static on and around the ball, but nice to see them string some passes together.
36:00 Mex 2 - NZ 0
A brilliant save from Moss for a long range effort from Mexico. The kiwi gloveman dived right down to his right to stop the ball before going to the other side to stop the deflection. He's not got much support from his defence so far and if it wasn't for him the scoreline could be even greater.
33:00 Mex 2 - NZ 0
New Zealand look out of ideas on the rare occasion they do get the ball. They're resorting to their go-to tactic of hoofing the ball up the field and hoping it finds Wood or Smeltz up-front.
28:00 GOAL Mex 2 - NZ 0
Dossantos has his second of the night. He manages to get behind the defence against and shows sublime ball control to get past Moss for a simple tap into the net.
22:00 GOAL Mex 1 - NZ 0
The first goal has been scored and it seemed inevitable to come. Glen Moss made the initial save but deflected the ball straight to Giovanni Dossantos who found himself with plenty of time and space in front of goal to fire the ball into the top right corner of the goal.
20:00 NZ 0 - Mex 0
A few hairy moments at the back for New Zealand in recent minutes. Moss is furious as Elliott made a terrible back-pass which Aldo de Nigris intercepted and looked certain to score. Luckily Ivan Vicelich was able to clear the ball over the backline.
13:00 NZ 0 - Mex 0
Glen Moss was forced into a save by Mexico as they create another half chance. Giovanni Dos Santos fired a clever pass into the box for Aldo de Nigris who got in behind the defence but couldn't control the ball.
9:00 NZ 0 - Mex 0
A bit of pressure from New Zealand on attack. Simon Elliott launched one of his trademark crosses into the box, but it was easily dealt with by the Mexican keeper.
5:00 NZ 0 - Mex 0
A hint of an early chance for the All Whites. Chris Wood put some pressure on a clearance from the Mexican goalkeeper and the ball is fired into his arm, it was all on for New Zealand, but the referee called it handball.
2:00 NZ 0 - Mex 0
The first chance of the match goes to Mexico as a cross finds Israel Castro free in front of goal and he fires a wild shot wide of the posts. New Zealand's defence will need to tighten up without the leadership of Ryan Nelsen at the back.
Pre-match
I feel like I've been taken back to the 2010 Fifa World Cup as the sound of the vuvuzela has spread to Denver. Not something I'm overly pleased about!
When the sides met 14 months ago in a warm-up match before the World Cup in South Africa, the All Whites put up a gallant effort before succumbing 2-0 in front of 75,000 people at Pasadena Rose Bowl in LA.
All Whites: Glen Moss, Winston Reid, Ivan Vicelich, Andy Boyens, Michael Boxall, Simon Elliott, Tim Brown, Michael Fitzgerald, Chris Wood, Shane Smeltz, Kosta Barbarouses.
Substitutes: Mark Paston (RGK), Jake Gleeson (RGK), Ben Sigmund, Aaron Clapham, David Mulligan, Michael McGlinchey, Jeremy Brockie, Chris Killen
Mexico (from): Alfredo Talavera (GK), Guillermo Ochoa (GK), Jonathan Orozco (GK), Edgar Duenas, Ricardo Osorio, Jorge Torres Nilo, Efrain Juarez, Rafael Marquez (c), Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Gerardo Torrado, Antonio Naelson, Christian Bermudez, Jesus Zavala, Israel Castro, Andres Guardado, Angel Reyna, Aldo de Nigris, Elias Hernandez, Giovanni Dos Santos, Pablo Barrera.
