By Michael Burgess in Doha
If the old adage about poor dress rehearsals rings true, then the signs might be good for the blockbuster match against Costa Rica next week.
In their final preparation match against Oman on Thursday, the All Whites ground out a frustrating 0-0 draw at Education City Stadium.
The New Zealand side were solid, though lacking the sizzle we've seen in previous matches. They had the better of the match, but couldn't find the breakthrough, and Oman improved as the match wore on.
Goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic gave coach Danny Hay plenty to ponder with some outstanding stops, particularly in the second half. Michael Boxall was effective in the centre of defence, while Marko Stamenic was energetic in midfield.
But overall a much changed New Zealand side lacked tempo and rhythm. There were moments, but the passing wasn't swift enough, with Oman closing down the spaces.
It was also difficult for the players; playing a full international against the world No 75 but knowing what is around the corner.
Joey Champness had the most clearcut chance, with other good opportunities falling to Ben Waine and Marco Rojas.
"It served its purpose," assessed coach Danny Hay. "It was an opportunity to give players minutes and we came out of it injury free, which was the most important thing.
"Overall it wasn't the greatest performance we have ever had but everybody has got half an eye on, if not two eyes on Costa Rica."
Hay agreed that the match has clarified his thinking around his strongest XI.
Played behind closed doors, this will be known as the match that no one saw.
It was a surreal setting, inside one of the flagship World Cup venues. New Zealand Football would have been happier to play at a tournament training venue but they are currently undergoing maintenance.
Despite the absence of a crowd, there were no corners cut by the local organisers, with around 40 security staff stationed at various points, while eight other workers materialised to repair divots after the warm ups.
Hay made nine changes to the XI that started against Peru, with only Bill Tuiloma and Stamenic retained. Dane Ingham, Boxall and Francis De Vries formed the rest of the back four, with Callum McCowatt and Eli Just the attacking midfielders. Ben Waine led the line, flanked by Kosta Barbarouses and Marco Rojas.
Though never completely fluent, New Zealand had the better of the first half. Waine flicked just wide of the far post , after good work from De Vries and Rojas, before Stamenic forced a good save from edge of the area.
Waine and Rojas had the other standout chances and De Vries got forward well.
Marinovic was relatively comfortable in the first half, though grateful for a timely Ingham intervention to cut out a dangerous cross and Boxall needed his pace to thwart a Oman counter.
There was some obvious frustration with some refereeing calls, which veered on the lenient side.
Barbarouses went close in the 51st minute before Oman stepped through the gears. They forced a couple of brilliant saves from Marinovic in the space of two minutes.
Smith had replaced Tuiloma at halftime and Hay rolled more substitutions after an hour, with Champness (Barbarouses), Logan Rogerson (Rojas), Clayton Lewis (Callum McCowatt) and Tim Payne (Ingham) introduced.
Champness eschewed a great chance in the 71st minute, directing his header straight at the keeper after being picked out by a free kick, before Marinovic was on guard with another save four minutes later.
Wood replaced Waine for the last 12 minutes, with Lewis going close with a deflected shot.
But the All Whites looked vulnerable to the counter, as they got stretched, with Oman finding space on both flanks. Some Champness magic in the box almost produced something, but that was the final noticeable opportunity.
