In this tightly contested international friendly between New Zealand and Cote d'Ivoire, New Zealand clinched a narrow 1-0 victory, highlighting their effective defensive setup and clinical finishing. The match's decisive moment came in the first half when New Zealand's lone goal was scored at the 41st-minute mark, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Cote d'Ivoire. Despite the limited number of attempts on goal, New Zealand showcased an impressive ability to convert their chances, a critical factor that set them apart.

Cote d'Ivoire dominated possession and launched an offensive assault, evidenced by their seven corner kicks compared to New Zealand's single attempt. Despite this offensive edge, they struggled against a well-organized New Zealand defense, which successfully absorbed pressure and limited the Ivorian shots on target. The lack of a resultant goal from corner opportunities underlines Cote d'Ivoire's failure to translate dominance into tangible results.

Discipline-wise, the match was relatively clean, with New Zealand receiving two yellow cards and Cote d'Ivoire one. This suggests that while the Kiwis were resolute in defense, they maintained composure to avoid serious disciplinary issues. The pressure applied by Cote d'Ivoire did induce some fouls, indicating New Zealand's commitment to disrupting the flow of Ivorian attacks. This strategic defensive resilience and efficiency in front of goal were instrumental in New Zealand's triumph despite Cote d'Ivoire's superior possession metrics.

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