The Group G game of Iran vs New Zealand was an entertaining clash that ended 2-2, a good result for both sides. For New Zealand it was a fourth straight draw at the World Cup as they keep searching for their first World Cup win. Today was close as they took the lead twice. For Iran to even get to this World Cup has been some kind of effort, so it isn’t surprising to watch them battle all the way.
This Iran vs New Zealand Group G is a battle of the teams who had the hardest and easiest path to the World Cup. New Zealand getting the free golden ticket out of the Oceania group where failure to qualify should mean expulsion from FIFA. Iran meanwhile had it’s usual difficult sporting path through Asian qualifying with 1,000 games, but the political implications of the war with US-Israel has made their life as impossible as possible. The fact they make the game is a minor miracle. Avoiding a loss would be heroic.
Iran vs New Zealand Preview
STATS SUMMARY
RATINGS
The Gurgler’s in-house Ratings system based on H2H stats, World Cup stats, recent records, qualifying and past World Cup performance is here to make choosing the winner easier, or have something to blame.
| Iran | 55.6% | New Zealand | 44.4% |
BARELY INTERESTING STATS
H2H between these sides is a win to Iran and a draw going back as far as 1973.
Iran’s opening World Cup game record is W1 D1 L4, so probably no surprise they have never made it out of the Group Stage.
New Zealand are yet to win a World Cup game. In 1982 they lost all three, and in 2010 they drew all three.
Iran have never played an Oceania nation at a World Cup before, nor have New Zealand played anyone from Asia at a World Cup.
Aside from the two games v New Zealand, Iran have played one other game v Oceania teams, a 8-1 thrashing of soccer powerhouse Papua New Guinea in 2016. Although we’d like to see Iran play them in their national sport of rugby league.
Excluding Australia, New Zealand have a 45% win rate v Asian nations overall.
MATCH PREDICTION
IRAN 1 NEW ZEALAND 0
