Despite a disappointing result against Egypt, New Zealand’s coach Darren Bazeley remains optimistic. One more victory against Belgium could secure the team’s spot in the round of 16. “We’re just one match away from making history,” he declared.

“Belgium is a strong opponent, but we’ve shown our potential. Against Iran, we fought to a 2-2 draw, and we nearly beat Egypt. If we can replicate those performances, we have a real chance. Now, we must focus on beating Belgium,” Bazeley emphasized during the post-match press conference.

Reflecting on the Egypt match, he admitted frustration. “We could have won that game. It hurts not to finish on top. We dominated possession in the first half, controlled the tempo, and looked comfortable. But in the second half, we struggled to maintain our rhythm and quality. Egypt raised their intensity, played well, and turned the game around. It’s incredibly disappointing to see another team celebrate after we’d led for most of the match.”

Bazeley acknowledged New Zealand’s missed opportunities. “We were pleased at halftime, but we never declared victory early. We faced challenges on crosses and fast transitions, but we still had chances to extend our lead. Ultimately, we didn’t convert. In football, anything can happen when the scoreline is tight.”