The All Whites have missed a golden opportunity after losing a penalty shootout to Tunisia for a bronze medal in the ACUD Cup in Cairo today.
The match went to penalties after it finished in controversial fashion 0-0 after 90 minutes, with New Zealand skipper Liberato Cacace and Tunisia's Elias Achouri both red carded at fulltime.
Achouri, apparently frustrated at the referee calling off the game with about eight seconds remaining, verbally abused the official and was shown a red card, with the bemused Cacace also shown red after getting into a physical altercation with Achouri immediately afterwards.
Cacace appeared to stand his ground as Achouri made head to head contact with him, but both players received the same sanction.
Tunisia won the shootout 4-2, with Ben Waine missing his attempt left of goal and Elijah Just hitting the right post. Kosta Barbarouses and Alex Rufer were successful with their penalties.
The All Whites should have won the match in normal time, Tommy Smith having a header pushed on to the crossbar by keeper Bachir Ben Said and Sarpreet Singh having a penalty saved in the first half.
Tunisia improved after the break but again New Zealand were guilty of not finishing their chances when Matt Garbett had a shot saved from close range by Ben Said.
The All Whites lost their other match in the tournament 1-0 to Egypt.
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