Elijah Just struck twice as the New Zealand All Whites marked their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup™ after 16 years with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the Islamic Republic of Iran in Los Angeles.

The Oceania representatives opened their Group G campaign against the world’s 20th ranked side and fully deserved the point, thjat leaves New Zealand unbeaten at a FIFA World Cup Finals since 1982.

Iran controlled possession early on, pressing high and forcing the All Whites deep into their own half. Captain Mehdi Taremi led the early threat, while New Zealand struggled to establish any sustained possession in the opening exchanges.

Despite that pressure, New Zealand struck first in the seventh minute, with 26-year-old Motherwell striker Just opening the scoring with a clinical finish. A direct ball forward released Chris Wood, who held up play before linking with Just, and the winger finished neatly into the right corner to hand New Zealand a  shock early lead.

 

 

 

The goal shifted the momentum as New Zealand began to grow in confidence, with Sarpreet Singh and Wood providing a greater attacking spark. Wood soon came close to doubling the advantage, collecting the ball inside the area and shaping to shoot, only for an Iranian defender to make a timely intervention.

Iran continued to push and found their equaliser in the 31st minute. After another spell of attacking pressure, a loose ball inside the area fell to Ramin Rezaeian, who finished from close range to level the contest. The Iranians nearly went ahead soon after, when Ali Nemati headed home from a free-kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

New Zealand responded well after the break and restored their lead in the 54th minute through another Wood-and-Just combination, with Just finishing clinically for his second goal of the match. As in the first half, the All Whites absorbed sustained pressure before striking decisively on the counter-attack.

 

But the pattern soon repeated itself as Iran drew level once more. A precise pass released Rezaeian down the right, and his delivery into the box was met by Mohammad Mohebi, who guided the ball home to make it 2-2.

Iran finished the stronger of the sides piling pressure on the New Zealand defence and forcing Max Crocombe into a series of important saves, although clear-cut chances remained limited.

The result has delivered a significant moment for New Zealand, with Just becoming the first All Whites player to score twice in a FIFA World Cup match. It also marked a positive return for New Zealand  to football’s biggest stage after a 16-year absence, with attention now turning to Egypt in the next Group G fixture next Monday in Vancouver.

The stats show New Zealand shaded possession with 51.7 percent and had eight shots on target to Iran’s four although the Asian powerhopuse shaded overall attempts 17 to 14.

Photo credit: FIFA Digital Assets 

HT: 1-1

Iran: 1 (Ramin REZAEIAN 32′, Mohamed MOHEBI 64′)

New Zealand: 2 (Elijah JUST 7′, 54′)