New Zealand's best footballer is sticking by the All Whites tactics during their hard-fought victory at the recent Oceania Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea.
The Anthony Hudson-coached team scored a penalty shootout victory in the final where the host nation provided most of the chances.
Many critics also considered them lucky to scrape past New Caledonia 2-1, in the semi-final.
West Ham defender Winston Reid was unavailable for the tournament, after his busy Premier League season, but he's fronted up to Newshub's Andrew Gourdie on Radio LIVE's Sunday Sport, and is backing Hudson's methods.
Does he think the criticism of the style of football the All Whites played was fair?
"I think it's completely unfair," said Reid.
"You have to adapt to any condition or type of environment you're playing in - playing in the islands is difficult - and with the squad and the players you have available.
"The most important thing was to qualify."
Ipswich Town defender Tommy Smith was another who wasn't considered for Papua New Guinea, and has been ruled out of New Zealand duty by Hudson.
Reid sympathises with Smith's 'club before country' view point, but was unwilling to speculate on the likelihood of him appearing at the Confederations Cup in Russia next year.
"I fully understand the position Tommy's in."
"We'll cross that bridge later. That's how it is, no bad feelings or anything.
"As a small nation we have the players that we have.
"He's hoping to break into the top tier. You accept and then you move on".
Reid's been holidaying with his family in Mexico and is set before he returns to training with West Ham in London.
Newshub.
