| Iraq and New Zealand played out a lively 0-0 draw as both teams
said farewell to the Confederations Cup on Saturday having failed
to score a goal between them in any of their three Group A games.
Iraq, needing a win to have any chance of overhauling South Africa
for the runners-up spot to reach the semi-finals behind group
winners Spain, were more adventurous than in their opening games
but rarely looked like scoring until a late flourish.
They were denied what would have been an outstanding goal from
Karrar Jasim when his shot bounced off goalkeeper Glen Moss's
head and away to safety in stoppage time.
New Zealand, already eliminated after losing their first two
games, had several first-half chances but faded after the break,
though they did earn their first point in a Confederations Cup
after losing all their previous six matches, in 1999 and 2003.
Striker Chris Killen missed their best chances and could have
won the game just before the end but showed woeful control in
front of goal with only Iraq keeper Mohamed Kassid to beat.
The match ended the short stint of Serbian-born Bora Milutinovic
as Iraq's coach with the Asian champions already eliminated from
the World Cup qualifying competition.
New Zealand still have the chance of returning to South Africa
for the 2010 finals if they win a playoff against Bahrain or Saudi
Arabia later this year.
The match was the first between the countries since Iraq beat
New Zealand 2-0 and 4-0 in two World Cup qualifiers played in
neutral Sydney 36 years ago.
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