New Zealand side ‘keeps coming,’ gets rewarded with late leveller

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This article was published 16/06/2010 (5953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — Winston Reid headed in an injury-time goal Tuesday to give New Zealand a 1-1 draw with Slovakia at the World Cup.

Shane Smeltz crossed the ball for Reid to head in at the near post, giving New Zealand its first point at a World Cup after going winless in its debut in 1982.

“It probably was the most important goal of my life,” Reid said. “I didn’t see the ball until late. I knew that if I got it on target and didn’t hit it too hard, I could just guide it in.”

Robert Vittek had given Slovakia the lead in the 50th minute, heading in a cross from Stanislav Sestak after Reid let him move free.

“Tonight’s a special night for me, I couldn’t be any prouder,” said New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, who turned to Kiwi fans in the bleachers and pumped his arms in celebration after the late leveller.

“I thought the opening game was a good chance to get something and I would have been disappointed with a loss after conceding a goal like that,” Herbert said. “But we kept coming, the boys kept coming.”

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss said his players were deflated after surrendering their lead.

“This is a minor sporting tragedy for us,” Weiss said.

— The Associated Press