New Zealand have fallen to a 2-0 defeat against former European champions Greece in a friendly international at Athens.
As the All Whites build towards their next World Cup qualifying campaign under new coach Darren Bazeley, they found the Greeks - ranked 52 spots better at 51st in the world - too polished, especially during an opening half that saw them under seige.
Down two goals at halftime, the Kiwis held their opponents scoreless through the second half, but could not construct the opportunities to snatch a result.
Greek skipper Anastasios Bakaasetas enjoyed the first real chance of the encounter, finding the right upright with a free-kick from just outside the penalty box, as his team enjoyed the early running.
All Whites striker Chris Wood appealed for a penalty on a rare venture into the Greece goalmouth, but when that was turned down, New Zealand found themselves a goal down in disastrous circumstances.
Midfielder Giannis Konstantelias floated an innocuous cross from the left side and the confused NZ defence allowed it to curl inside the far post, with goalkeeper Michael Woud too slow to react to the threat.
"Decisions get made, you get some and you don't get some," reflected Bazeley. "We thought it was a penalty.
"It was a really good play and really good movement, but that's where we're at. We get into certain areas where we nearly get these goals.
"It was disappointing to the go down the other end and concede close to that."
The All Whites had another penalty request turned down at the other end, before keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos has able to smother a shot on goal from Callum McCowatt.
Woud was more alert to a deflection from veteran Tommie Smith that would have resulted in an own goal, but New Zealand fell two behind from a corner, when Woud could only parry an initial header into the path of striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, who made no mistake with his point-blank shot.
The scorer should perhaps have had a second moments later, when Konstantelias put him into the clear, with just Woud to beat, but the striker lobbed the ball over the crossbar.
Bakaasetas was again fractionally wide with his long-distance strike and the home side reached the break with a comfortable two-goal advantage.
Ben Waine replaced Wood for the second half, with Joe Bell assuming captaincy, and Waine had his team's best scoring chance, as he turned in front of goal, but watched his shot squirt over the crossbar.
The All Whites defence largely smothered Greece's attempts to add to the scoreline, as both sides looked to their benches.
"I thought it was a really good game," said Bazeley. "We knew it would be a tough challenge for us, but it was very competitive.
"We played very well in a lot of moments, but we're at a stage where we need to start believing we can win these games."
Greece are still alive in Euro 2024 qualifying, securing a playoff berth from a group that has seen France progress to the final tournament.
New Zealand next face Republic of Ireland, who have been eliminated from that same group, on Wednesday (NZ time).
Greece 2 (Konstantelias, Giakoumakis) New Zealand 0
