The All Whites' dreams of joining the elite soccer nations in France at next year's World Cup Finals look fairly forlorn ones now, after Australia humbled Joe McGrath's young charges 3-0 at North Harbour Stadium on June 28. The result means that the All Whites face an uphill struggle in Sydney next week against a team whose greater experience and self-confidence shone through in all areas of the pitch. Not even the chants of "All Whites, All Whites" from a spirited crowd of 23,000 - the biggest attendance at a soccer match in New Zealand this decade - could revive the national team's hopes, after an opening phase of play in which they had held their own in every department. But a defensive blunder by Riki van Steeden in the nineteenth minute rocked the All Whites' composure, and left Jason Batty with the not too pleasant sight of three Australians bearing down on his goal. Craig Foster drew the goalkeeper before slipping the ball inside to John Aloisi, who coolly rolled the ball into an unguarded net. It was a blow from which the All Whites never really recovered, with Aloisi having the chance, moments later, to extend Australia's lead. Batty smothered this, and later saved bravely at the feet of the veteran Socceroo striker Graham Arnold, after good penetration down the right by Robbie Slater, who was involved in much that was good about the visitors' play. As the first half wore on, the international pedigree of the Australians began to emerge. The confidence and skill factor of this largely European-based side was clearly evident, while their mobility off the ball sometimes left their All Whites counterparts chasing shadows. Not that the home team was bereft of chances. Wynton Rufer was in the clear as early as the sixth minute, but a crossfield ball from Mark Atkinson was not forthcoming, no doubt due to the fact the setting sun was shining in the midfielder's eyes. Rufer was involved again in the 25th minute, linking neatly with Chris Jackson and Vaughan Coveny. The latter had a shooting chance from the edge of the box, but instead looked to the well-marked Rufer, and the opportunity was lost. The former Werder Bremen striker was inspirational in the 41st minute, releasing Coveny with a superb forty-yard ball. The Australian-based All White, faced with a difficult volley and a defender on his shoulder, couldn't get a clean contact with his shot, and Mark Bosnich was untroubled in gathering the rolling ball. From his clearance, Australia scored what proved to be the match-winning goal. Foster, who was full of flicks and tricks throughout, crossed the ball from

the right, only to see Danny Hay, making his home debut for the All Whites after eight caps earned on foreign turf, head clear. The unmarked Aurelio Vidmar controlled the dropping ball on his thigh before volleying home his tenth international goal, three minutes before the interval. With this, the die was cast, but it didn't stop an entertaining second spell coming to pass, highlighted in the 58th minute by a strong surge forward by Hay. He played a one-two with Rufer - a fine return pass, then a one-two with Michael McGarry, before touching the ball inside for Coveny. Sadly, his finish didn't match the dazzling approach work. Australia's third goal, in the 67th minute, was pure class. Arnold dummied Vidmar's ball neatly for Foster, who spotted Batty off his line and calmly chipped the stranded goalkeeper. Batty got a hand to it, but couldn't keep the ball out. Any hopes the All Whites had of getting some reward from the game all but disappeared down the players' tunnel moments later, as Jackson was sent off, a result of receiving his second yellow card in three minutes. Rufer, who was inches away with a fine first half free-kick, was off-target by a similar margin with a similar effort in the second spell, as was Ned Zelic for Australia fifteen minutes from time, his shot beating both Batty and the upright. The timely interventions of Ivan Vicelich and the impressive Hay foiled Australia as the ten men struggled manfully to cope with the Socceroos' frequent attacks, many of which were artfully led by Arnold. With four minutes remaining, Rufer, whose effectiveness increased the further back he dropped - he started the game in the front line, slipped a super ball through for the marauding Coveny. As he lined up his shot, a timely intervention by Craig Moore saw the defender divert the ball for a corner, an act which saw the Glasgow Rangers centre-back pick up a rib injury for his troubles. Despite the pain, though, Moore could afford to smile, as could his team-mates, in particular the outstanding Foster. Australia 3, New Zealand 0, read the scoreboard as the final whistle sounded, and while there's always the chance of a minor miracle in Sydney next week, reality suggests that Japan / Korea 2002 will offer the All Whites their next chance of qualifying for the World Cup Finals. All Whites:  Batty; Hay, Vicelich, Wilkinson; McGarry, Jackson, Atkinson, van Steeden, Elliott; Rufer, Coveny  Subs:  Hickey, Stevens Referee:  Okada Masayoshi (Japan)