New Zealand-Slovakia tied 0-0 after 15 minutes

NZealand-Slovakia at 0-0 after 15 minutes

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — New Zealand and Slovakia’s World Cup game was tied 0-0 after 15 minutes.

New Zealand’s best chance came in the fifth minute when Simon Elliott’s free kick from the left found the head of Chris Killen, but his attempt went directly to Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha. Much dropped the ball before picking it up in his arms.

Slovakia soon responded in the Group F match, but Vladimir Weiss’ low-angled shot posed little trouble for New Zealand keeper Mark Paston.

It was the first World Cup game for Slovakia since the breakup of Czechoslovakia, while New Zealand is in the World Cup for the first time since 1982.