New Zealand A and Tahiti fought out a scoreless draw in the first of two friendly internationals played at Bill McKinlay Park in Mt Wellington in Auckland.
Tahiti can count themselves unlucky not to have recorded their first win over New Zealand with goalkeeper Mark Paston pulling off a superb point blank save in the first half to deny Nicolas Paigne what looked a certain goal.
New Zealand got off to a promising start in the opening half, with Ben Sigmund unlucky to see his volleyed effort from outside the box come back off the left hand post with just five minutes gone.
Tahiti responded well to the early pressure and Naea Bennett forced a good save at the near post by Mark Paston.
Tahiti continued to press and Paston was forced to touch a cross by Temarii Tinorua over the crossbar. From the resultant corner the New Zealand defence went to sleep and Nicolas Paigne’s snapshot from close range produced another superb reflex save from Paston.
The third quarter was a real stalemate with neither side creating any clearcut opportunities.
Allan Pearce made an impression when he was introduced fifteen minutes into the second half but he also wasted New Zealand’s best chance ten minutes from time.
Brent Fisher beat two men to get to the byline but Pearce somehow scooped his cross over the bar from inside the six yard box.
Pearce was involved again in injury time when he took advantage of a mistake by a Tahitian defender but his cross went behind Fisher and was cleared to safety.
Apart from Paston, Brent Fisher worked hard in what was a lonely role up front. James Pritchett, Andy Barron and Ben Sigmund were the best of the rest for New Zealand.
The second match between the two sides is at Douglas Field, Waitakere – site of the recent OFC Youth (U-20) Championships – on Friday (6pm).
New Zealand A: Mark Paston, James Pritchtt, Cole Tinkler, Ben Sigmund, Trent Watson, Andrew Barron, Ian Robinson (Jason Hayne 84), Ian Sandbrook (Allan Pearce 61), Jeremy Christie, Adrian Webster (Daniel Ellensohn 69), Brent Fisher.
Subs not used: Jacob Spoonley, Michael Boxall, Adam Cowan, Sam Matthews, Costa Barbarouses.
Tahiti: Daniel Tapeta, Raimana Li Fung Kuee, Angelo Tchen, Taufa Neuffer (Axel Williams 73), Nicolas Paigne, Temarii Tinorua (Billy Mataitai), Jean-Yves Ly Waut, Tamatoa Pahio (Pierre Kugone 68), Naea Bennett, Teva Zaveroni, Tamatoa Wagemann (Jerome Tetavahai 77).
Subs not used: Xavier Samin, Hiro Poroiae, Fraddy Tauihara, Farahia Teuira, Teraimaru Mervin
Referee: Michael Hester (Wellington)
Cautions: Neuffer 33 (Tahiti), Christie 64 (New Zealand).