15 Jun 2009

Spain too good for All Whites

8:35 am on 15 June 2009

The All Whites have lost their opening match of the Confederations Cup, losing 5-0 to Spain on Sunday.

The 82nd ranked New Zealand side played FIFA's top-ranked team, who remain unbeaten since November 2006.

Spain took only five minutes to score against the All Whites at Rustenberg in South Africa, with striker Fernando Torres completing his hat-trick in the 17th minute.

Cesc Fabregas saw Spain to a 4-0 half-time lead and David Villa scored three minutes into the second spell of the Group A match.

The All Whites gave World Cup holders Italy a fright in their final warm-up match, with Italy just taking the match 4-3.

But the New Zealanders had no answers to the speed and skills of Spain, who dominated possession.

The Confederations Cup, dubbed the "festival of champions", because it primarily involves the winning teams from regional competitions in each of the world's six football federations, is also seen as the dress rehearsal to the World Cup.

Asian football champions Iraq held South Africa to a 0-0 draw in the opening match of the tournament.