New Zealand’s head coach, Darren Bazeley, struck a resolute tone after his side’s recent setback, stressing that his team is still just one victory away from etching their name in World Cup history. “We know we must beat Belgium on Friday—simple as that,” he declared. “The opportunity is there, and we intend to seize it.”

Reflecting on the narrow defeats against Iran and Egypt, Bazeley acknowledged the team’s progress while admitting frustration at falling short. “We dominated possession in the first half against Egypt, controlled the game comfortably, and created clear chances. Then they upped their intensity, and we couldn’t maintain our rhythm. It’s heartbreaking to see another team celebrate when we were so close.”

The coach emphasized the need for clinical finishing, noting that even a single goal difference could swing matches in the group stage. “We’ve led in two games but failed to convert our chances. That has to change—now.” With Belgium up next, Bazeley insisted his players are focused on replicating their best performances to secure a historic knockout-stage berth.