Football: Fearless All Whites seek new level against Egypt

Be fearless and be better.

That sums up the message All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has delivered ahead of his side's second World Cup game against Egypt in Vancouver.

A win on Monday would mark the first World Cup victory by an All Whites side in eight attempts and all-but guarantee their progression out of the group stage.

After a 2-all draw with Iran in their opening game, Bazeley said against a pacy world no.29 Egyptian side the All Whites needed to go beyond what they had achieved in Los Angeles.

"It's going to be a challenge, but one that we're not scared of.

"We can't let the occasion be too big, it's not about the occasion, it's about us winning a game of football.

"We need to get to the levels that we did in the last game, in and out of possession, and raise those levels."

Bazeley challenged the players to "be more clinical, more ruthless, more creative", a challenge that captain Chris Wood seems ready to accept.

As a teenager Wood came off the bench in New Zealand's three drawn games at the 2010 World Cup and in last week's Iran game played 90 minutes for New Zealand for the first time since 2023.

The striker, who had battled a knee injury since last year, said he was feeling "in perfect stead" and wanted to play a part in getting the All Whites' first win.

"We're hugely motivated by that and it would put us in a great position in this World Cup," Wood said.

"Four points, near enough guarantees you'd go through. I think both teams will be eager to win this game, knowing how big a fruit there is at the end of it with getting that win."

Wood agreed with Bazeley that a win would only come if the team brought "the same level of energy, intensity, technical ability [as against Iran] and then raised it again".

Standing between the All Whites and a win is Egypt's first goalscorer in this tournament Mohamed Salah.

Salah is "a very, very good player" that Bazeley believes did not have the level of game he would have wanted against Belgium in Egypt's opening draw.

Bazeley was interested to see where Salah played, after the former Liverpool player had been playing wide or deeper a as a 10.

"Depending on where he pops up, we'll work out a plan to try and deal with him.

"He's one of the good players that Egypt have in the attacking areas, and we're going to have to deal with a number of them.

"I think if we try and overload somewhere, we could get caught somewhere else.

"The key for us is defending as a group, as a unit, staying compact, staying connected, working together and trying to implement our style of play defensively on the game."

Wood has yet to score a World Cup goal, which is something he would like to rectify against Egypt.

"Hopefully I can do the business, get some goals, and that will help the team out for sure."