Iraq and New Zealand draw 0-0 at Confed Cup

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Iraq and New Zealand both exited the Confederations Cup following a 0-0 draw Saturday.

Iraq could have advanced with a multi-goal victory, but the Asian champions rarely threatened until the final minutes and had to work hard to fend off a spirited fight from the All Whites - who wore all black.

Iraq finished with two points in Group A and New Zealand left with one point. European champion Spain won the group with nine points and South Africa also went through with four points despite a 2-0 loss to Spain in the other group game.

Iraq had three chances in the final minutes to earn the win.

First, midfielder Karrar Jasim's close-range effort was blocked in the 87th minute, then Salih Sadir's long shot was pushed away by New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss in the first minute of injury time. Seconds later, defender Tony Lochhead cleared a shot from Salam Shaker off the goal line.

South Africa fans in attendance at the half-filled Ellis Park rooted for New Zealand, since a draw or Kiwi win automatically sent the Bafana Bafana through.

New Zealand was already eliminated after losing its opening two games, but coach Ricki Herbert raised both arms in triumph at the final whistle, celebrating his country's first point at a FIFA tournament.

Herbert played when New Zealand lost all three of its games at the 1982 World Cup. The Kiwis also failed to gain a point at the 1999 and 2003 Confederations Cups.

Only 23,295 fans showed up, but many of them brought along vuvuzela trumpets, creating a raucous atmosphere.

In a match that featured sloppy play from both sides, Iraq attempted to run past New Zealand while the Kiwis relied on headers and set pieces.

Iraq came out determined but then settled down as New Zealand took control for much of the first half.

Iraq forward Emad Mohammed bounced a header over the bar following a corner in the seventh minute, then the Asian champions had an even better chance when Younis Mahmoud strode through the Kiwis' porous defense three minutes later, but Moss charged forward to block his shot.

New Zealand also had trouble finishing. Celtic striker Chris Killen received the ball in front of the Iraqi defense in the 15th, had time to control the ball and look at the target but still missed badly, then covered his head with his jersey.

Leo Bertos was creative on the left wing for New Zealand and provided a perfect cross for Shane Smeltz in the 30th, but the Gold Coast United forward headed wide.

New Zealand finally put a decent shot on target in the 35th, but goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid lunged to his left to catch Killen's header.

Iraq used all three of its substitutions early in the second half but still couldn't create much until the final minutes, while New Zealand substitute Andy Boyens had an opportunity with a header in the 74th that went high.


Lineups:

Iraq: Mohammed Kassid, Mohammed Ali Kareem, Basem Abbas, Nashat Akram, Emad Mohammed (Alaa Abdul Zahra, 56), Younis Mahmoud, Hawar Mulla Mohammed (Fareed Majeed, 46), Karrar Jasim, Salam Shaker, Ali Hussein Rehema, Mahdi Kareem (Salih Sadir, 67).

New Zealand: Glen Moss, Aaron Scott, Tony Lochhead, Ben Sigmund (Andy Boyens, 71), Ivan Vicelich, Simon Elliott, Tim Brown, Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen, Leo Bertos, Jeremy Brockie (Jeremy Christie, 68).