Dejected All Whites players Lukas Kelly-Heald (L) and Fin Conchie after their 3-0 loss to France at the Paris Olympics 2024 Football game between All Whites vs France at Marseille Stadium, Stade Vélodrome, in Marseille, France. Photo: Photosport
Oly Whites coach Darren Beazley concedes there are simply levels to international football, and New Zealand is far from on par with the world's best.
The team bowed out of medal contention in Paris on Wednesday morning after going down to France 3-0, eliminating the Kiwis who opened the campaign with an encouraging 2-1 win over Guinea, before going down 4-1 to the United States.
Beazley said they needed to be at their absolute best against the heavyweight hosts.
"That's tournament football, for us to have won tonight, we needed to have moments, we needed to take our moments, we probably needed a little bit of luck and we didn't get that."
They were under no illusions about the French threat, but came into the clash with some confidence after tow promising performances, he said.
Jean-Philippe Mateta grabbed the lead for France, taking advantage of New Zealand's poor defending in the 19th minute before Désiré Doué added another in the 71st after a neat passing move, and Arnaud Kalimuendo's low shot sealed the win three minutes later.
"I thought we got into the game very well. France gave us some problems, but I thought we defended really well," Beazley said.
"We got into some good areas, had some good possession, and halfway through that first-half conceded a goal, which was a little bit unlucky with a deflection, but it was a lovely finish from the lad who's a very good player."
France, coming off two wins, only needed a draw to progress to the quarters.
"Obviously we know that France were going to create lots of opportunities. I thought Alex was very good in goal, made some good saves, and I thought we defended with a lot of heart," Beazley said.
While finding positives in the campaign, Beazley admitted they fell well short of their goal.
"We came here to try to win a medal. That's why people come to the Olympics. We obviously got that first win and had high hopes and then played against two better teams."
Despite the heavy final loss, Beazley said staff and players would learn from the experience.
"They've seen some of the levels of some of the better players around the world now and that's a real challenge for us to get to that level consistently.
"This is not the All Whites. Whilst we've got some players that are obviously very much part of the All Whites, it's an age group team.
"For a lot of the younger players, it's a real insight into the levels for them to try to get to. Some of them are just starting their professional careers and their next challenge is to try to make the All Whites squad."