Led by 22-year-old Tommy Smith, there were plenty of young faces in the New Zealand side and two of them – debutant Ian Hogg and Kosta Barbarouses, both also 22 – netted their first international goals to earn a share of the spoils against the world number 49.
Hogg’s superb low strike across Salvadoran goalkeeper Benji Villalobos, following a lung-bursting run and interplay from Michael McGlinchey and Barbarouses, was deserved reward for an impressive debut on the left flank and drew the sides level at 1-1 in the 28th minute.
Rafael Burgos had earlier taken advantage of a flat New Zealand defence to give El Salvador a 13th-minute lead albeit with a hint of offside, and his firm cross 11 minutes into the second half was deflected into the All Whites net by Michael Boxall to restore the lead.
When Shane Smeltz’s powerful shot was only parried by Villalobos in the 64th, Barbarouses was on hand to balance the ledger at 2-2 and secure a justified result.
The All Whites enjoyed a healthy number of chances throughout the match, with one-on-ones to McGlinchey and Barbarouses saved by Villalobos and a shot from Marco Rojas that bounced back off the foot of the post the best of the chances not taken.
“That was probably one of the better performances we have put in, with a number of senior players not here and many players coming off six or seven weeks with no football,” New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said after the match.
“It was a very young side against a team ranked inside the top 50 in the world. We led the stats in terms of shots on goal and away from home that’s very pleasing.
“We had a couple of one-on-one chances that may have seen a different result but the biggest thing for me is that we played very well tonight. We passed the ball very well, we played with conviction and had good pace coming from the likes of Rojas and Barbarouses.”
The All Whites now move to Dallas where they take on Honduras in the second of two internationals Herbert’s men are using to warm up for the OFC Nations Cup, set to take place in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara from 1-10 June.
International friendly
New Zealand: 2 (Ian HOGG 28’, Kosta BARBAROUSES 64’)
El Salvador: 2 (Rafael BURGOS 13’, own goal 56’)
Halftime: 1-1
May 23, 2012
BBVA Compass Stadium
Houston, USA
New Zealand: Mark PASTON (GK), Michael BOXALL, Ben SIGMUND, Tommy SMITH (captain), Leo BERTOS (Jeremy BROCKIE 65’), Ivan VICELICH, Michael MCGLINCHEY, Ian HOGG, Marco ROJAS Cameron HOWIESON 72’, Shane SMELTZ (Chris WOOD 65’), Kosta BARBAROUSES
Substitutes: Jake GLEESON (RGK), Glen MOSS (RGK), Aaron CLAPHAM, Adam MCGEORGE, Tim PAYNE
Cautions: Ben SIGMUND 19’
Coach: Ricki HERBERT
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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