On the evidence of yesterday's 1-1 draw with China, there has been some progress -- but with a lot of work still to be done.
Chris Wood's 86th-minute goal rescued the game for New Zealand, after both teams were guilty of
missing a multitude of chances. The home side created more opportunities -- and made many incisions down the left flank, exposing Storm Roux -- but the All Whites also fluffed at least two clear-cut chances that should be put away at this level.
It's the third 1-1 draw against this opposition in four years and a
creditable result against a well-organised Chinese side. Not at the level of Japan, South Korea or Iran, China are building towards January's Asian Cup.
They would have expected to take care of the All Whites -- especially without Winston Reid -- but too often failed to test Jake Gleeson in New Zealand's goal.
Hudson told the Herald on Sunday on the day of his appointment he wanted his team to play like Chile. Out of possession, they did sometimes resemble the South American side, with their high-energy, pressing style constantly harrying their opponents. The desire and intensity was extremely impressive from a young All Whites team (average age of 21).
"We were aggressive, we were positive," Hudson said. "I thought it was a big step forward for us. In terms of honesty, work ethic and commitment, we couldn't have given anything more."
However, they struggled when on the ball. They couldn't keep possession in midfield, often unable to receive the ball in traffic and wriggle out of trouble to create chances. China's passing and movement off the ball was a level above their opponents.
There was some trickery from Marco Rojas and Ryan Thomas in the attacking third but too often that was confined to near the sidelines and away from the danger areas. After rushing around to win the ball, they still looked frantic in possession.
"[We] played at such a high tempo," said Hudson. "At times, we could have slowed the game down a little bit and tried to be a little bit more patient with the ball."
New Zealand's default attacking option was a long ball slung forward to lone striker Wood, with Thomas and Rojas hovering to pick up the scraps. Long term, Hudson needs to build a team that can play through midfield and find feet.
Gleeson made a nervous start -- his first clearance almost went straight to a Chinese striker -- but grew into the game and pulled off some good saves.
Roux struggled against the pacey Chinese left winger and both fullbacks rarely got forward on attack, although Deklan Wynne -- who had a solid debut on the left -- provided the cross for Wood's goal.
In his return from his brief exile, Tommy Smith organised the back four well and was an impressive presence alongside the ever-improving Michael Boxall.
Marseille-based Bill Tuiloma was again tried as a holding midfielder. It's a complex position, crying out
for someone like the Phoenix's
Albert Riera, but Tuiloma is worth perservering with.
If China continue to be a regular opponent in the next few years, New Zealand will have a chance to end a long winless streak against the 'Middle Kingdom' -- their last victory came in 1990.
The All Whites face Thailand, who lost 3-0 to China last month, on Wednesday morning (NZT).
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All Whites v China
2014: 1-1 (C. Wood) in Nanchang
2012: 1-1 (C. Wood) in Shanghai
2011: 1-1 (M. McGlinchey) in Wuhan
2000: 0-1 in Guangzhou
1996: 0-3 in Beijing
New coach Anthony Hudson likes to talk about his All Whites evolution as a work in progress.
