sport news World Cup 2022: New Zealand All Whites fail to qualify after controversial loss ... trends now
In the wake of Australia's historic World Cup qualification and Royal Ascot victory, New Zealand fans all over the country will be heartbroken after one of their worst days in sporting history.
Playing in a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica in Dubai, the All Whites went down 1-nil thanks to some atrocious refereeing decisions before the Black Caps somehow lost the unlosable cricket test against England.
They are scars that will hurt for a long time and contrast sharply with Australia's epic victory over Peru in Doha the previous night.
All Whites coach Danny Hay was furious after the game, even going so far as to say 'FIFA let us down'.
All White Bill Tuiloma (right) lies dejected on the turf while Costa Rican players celebrate
'FIFA have made a mistake there,' said Hay in reference to inexperienced UAE referee Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed.
'They have let us down in putting somebody in charge who has clearly not officiated at this sort of level.'
New Zealand players Michael Boxall and Bill Tuiloma console each other after the loss
The All Whites were devastated after failing to secure qualification for this year's World Cup
They were the words of a heartbroken man who had to watch striker Chris Wood's goal disallowed by a contentious VAR decision before substitute Kosta Barbarouses was given a red card for a minor challenge on Costa Rica's Francisco Calvo.
That card also came after VAR intervention, after Mohamed initially only gave him a yellow.
The contentious challenge between Kosta Barbarouses (right) and Francisco Calvo (centre)
Barbarouses (second from left) was sent off for his challenge on Calvo.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for a
