New Zealand secured a first ever point in the Confederations Cup after holding Iraq to a 0-0 draw.

Iraq miss out on semi-finals after failing to make breakthrough

New Zealand secured a first ever point in the Confederations Cup after holding Iraq to a 0-0 draw in Group A. Both sides had chances to claim the three points as Iraq missed out on the semi-finals despite hosts South Africa's defeat by Spain. Iraq had the first real chance of the game after just seven minutes, but Imad Mohammed's far-post header from a corner bounced into the ground and over the crossbar. Minutes later, Iraq had an even better opportunity as Younus Mahmoud skipped into the box, but his shot was saved by the outstretched leg of New Zealand keeper Glen Moss. New Zealand slowly got back into the game and Celtic striker Chris Killen should have done better on 15 minutes after bringing the ball under control in the box before slashing his shot well wide of the target. Shane Smeltz glanced Leo Bertos' cross narrowly wide of the far upright before Killen's header produced a smart low save from Iraq shot-stopper Mohammed Kassid. The second half remained an end-to-end affair, with Smeltz firing wide inside the final 10 minutes for New Zealand, who had lost all their previous games in the competition. Iraq came close to snatching a winner as Jasim Karrar burst into the area with three minutes to go, but his dinked shot struck the head of Moss. And in injury-time, Moss produced a fine save from Salam Shaker's long-range effort before New Zealand defender Tony Lochhead was forced to clear the ball off the line.