WINSTON Reid scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser as New Zealand earned a 1-1 draw with Slovakia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. Debutants Slovakia had looked on course for three points and top spot in Group F following Robert Vittek’s header after 50 minutes.
But defender Reid directed a glancing header into the back of the net, three minutes into stoppage time, to earn the All Whites their first ever point at a World Cup finals.
Vittek’s goal looked destined to spoil New Zealand’s first World Cup finals match in 26 years.
The Lille striker directed a great cross from the right by Stanislav Sestak past Kiwi goalkeeper Mark Paston.
There was, however, a hint of offside about the goal, with Vittek perhaps a fraction ahead of the last defender.
But after Shane Smeltz had missed a golden chance to equalise, the much-travelled striker produced an inviting cross that former Denmark U21 international Reid dispatched into the corner.
He was booked for removing his shirt in celebration but would care little as New Zealand, who lost all their three group matches in 1982, claimed a historic point.
The All Whites proved a threat from set-pieces at last year’s Confederation Cup but Chris Killen’s early header from a free-kick was straight at Jan Mucha.
Slovakia came into the game as the first-half progressed and Vladimir Weiss fed Marek Hamsik who curled an effort just past the far post.
The Manchester City youngster then produced a lovely ball around the corner to carve out a decent opening but Sestak failed to hit the target with his effort from 14 yards.
Paston had a few nervy moments and when he flapped badly at a corner, the ball flicked off the back of Martin Skrtel’s head and was not too far away from nestling in the empty net.
A terrible mistake from Wellington Phoenix number one Paston followed as he completely miscued his attempted clearance, but Vittek was unable to take advantage as Ipswich youngster Tommy Smith made a vital challenge.
Paston was also motionless as he let Jan Durica’s header run across goal, although Middlesbrough’s Killen was on hand to clear off the line, but he was equal to Hamsik’s curler which was tipped over the crossbar.
New Zealand, fitting of the second lowest-ranked team in the tournament, created little in open play but a fierce strike from the left side of the penalty area by Smeltz forced Mucha to force behind.
Slovakia had chances to make the game safe with Hamsik blasting over after great hold-up play from Sestak and that man Reid made a superb challenge just as Vittek was about to pull the trigger from close range.
The miss from Smeltz, three minutes from time when he failed to hit the target from little more than eight yards after getting between the two central defenders, had looked to prove costly.
But he made amends with the delivery from the left that conjured up Reid’s second international goal and wild scenes from the New Zealand players. (Eurosport)