Sports
Ben Old Reflects on Quick Goal That Drove New Zealand to 2-1 Draw with Japan
Ben Old admitted he could not recall the exact moment he scored New Zealand’s goal that made the match level at 1-1 before Japan won 2-1 in the Kirin Cup final in Tokyo. "It’s hard to remember these things," he said after the match. "It just happens so quickly but I could see the thing unfolding. I just gambled and ran." The All Whites won the ball in their own half and a through ball found skipper Chris Wood in space. Wood held up the ball while Eli Just made a dummy run to draw a defender. Wood then slid the ball into the path of Old, whose shot flew high into the top corner. "Thankfully, it went in the top corner, so I was very happy," Old said. The Saint‑Étienne wingback described the experience as "a blast" to play in front of a sold‑out crowd of 61,812 at the National Stadium. The match concluded New Zealand’s four‑match international window, which included a 2-2 draw with Palestine, a 3-0 win over China PR and a penalty shoot‑out victory over Panama after a 1-1 draw. The final score was Japan 2 (Ayase Ueda 28′, Ritsu Dõan 71′) – New Zealand 1 (Ben Old 32′). The game was officiated by referee Nazmi Nasaruddin of Malaysia, with assistants Zairul Khalil Tan (Malaysia) and Pattarapong Kijsathit (Thailand).