JOHANNESBURG – All Whites custodian Glen Moss says he will never forget New Zealand’s historic first result at a FIFA Confederations Cup. Nor should he.

While Shane Smeltz collected the man of the match trophy the next name on the shortlist must have been that of Glen Moss, who put in a commanding performance in what could be his last All Whites appearance in 2009.

A four match suspension has ruled Moss out of both legs of the World Cup playoff against Bahrain or Saudi Arabia meaning the Wellington Phoenix and now Melbourne Victory will probably be overlooked for any friendlies secured in the September international window.

But rather than dredge up the past or look too far into the future Moss was more than happy to live in the present.

“It’s a pretty proud moment to be honest. To be part of a team that has won New Zealand’s first point at a Confederations Cup and play the way we did make’s it a special night and one I’ll never forget,” Moss said.

Moss sprang into action to deny Iraqi captain Younis Mohammed one-on-one in the 11th minute but it was a pair of saves at the other end of the 90 minutes that got the Ellis Park crowd of 23,295 on its feet, cheering for a draw or New Zealand win that would help the tournament hosts into the semi finals.

He saved Karrar Jasim’s 86th minute shot with his head, but Moss should be given credit for his timing and positioning in closing the Iraqi midfielder down, and his airborne full stretch save from Salih Sadir in time added on was undoubtedly world class.

“The save early on gave me a lot of confidence and for a keeper getting a save early on gets the butterflies out of the system.

“And then when the boys up top, [Shane] Smeltz and Killy [Chris Killen] were having shot after shot I thought we were definitely going to get one.”

The All Whites could have easily collected all three points if their finishing had been more clinical but Moss says the result should be taken at face value.

“You can’t be disappointed with the way we played and the number of opportunities we created. I got a bit of luck at the back and the guys up front didn’t get that luck.

"At the end of the day to play the way we did and get a point against a side like Iraq, a side similar to what we’ll face at the end of the year…We’ll take that."

Story and photo courtesy NZF Media

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