Tommy Smith of New Zealand is sent off at Mount Smart Stadium. Photo: www.photosport.nz
All Whites defender Tommy Smith didn't get to celebrate his 50th international the way he would have liked.
New Zealand held on for a 0-0 draw with China in their friendly at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland after Smith was sent off in the second half.
Smith, earning his 50th cap, was red carded after a mix-up with goalkeeper Oli Sail saw him bring down Chinese striker Wu Lei in the 63rd minute.
"I think from that point on the boys put their hand up and dug in really well and keeping a clean sheet was the main goal from there," Sail said afterwards.
"But disappointing for Tommy especially in his 50th, that's not the way we wanted his occasion to go."
New Zealand dominated the opening 45 minutes but it was the Chinese, playing their first game under new coach Aleksandar Jankovic, who went closest to scoring.
Winger Wei Shihao sent a 32nd minute free kick just wide before forcing a fine save out of Sail two minutes before the break.
China grew in confidence after the interval and Wu Lei should have put his side ahead three minutes into the second half when he was released by Wu Xi's through ball but the forward curled his shot high and wide.
It marked a sixth consecutive match without a goal for New Zealand, who last found the net when they put five past the Solomon Islands in March last year.
"There are aspects we can be very very happy with, some of the build-up, the pressing, the aggression, the way we kept possession for large chunks and the chances we created particularly in the first half," Sail said.
"Obviously the game shifts when you lose a man and we had to hang on a bit so that's football but we just need to find the back of the net."
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood didn't play, but may be an option for the second game in Wellington on Sunday.
"We're going to have a fresh team and the boys that have flown half way around the world are going to be feeling a lot better than they are right now so we're looking forward to those contributions," said Sail.
-RNZ/Reuters