First-up result important
Junior All Whites need at least a draw when they meet Ukraine in Albany tomorrow
With the Under-20 World Cup kicking off at Albany tomorrow, are the hosts primed for a crowd-pleasing run deep into the tournament or will their involvement be curtailed early in the event? The Herald assesses the likelihood of the Junior All Whites progressing from pool play. Match one: Ukraine, North Harbour Stadium, May 30, 1pm It is fair to say the World Cup opener is the key to New Zealand’s campaign. With the United States looking strong and Myanmar appearing vulnerable, the fate of Darren Bazeley’s side could rest on getting a result from their first game. It won’t be easy, not against a team that qualified from the European Under-19 Championships, an event so competitive that traditional heavyweights Spain, France and Italy all failed to punch a ticket to NZ.
While Ukraine were fortunate to avoid those football powerhouses in qualifying, they did progress at the expense of England, knocking out a team featuring players who have made first-team appearances for Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Ukraine’s own squad is entirely drawn from the nation’s top division — with heavyweights Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk combining to provide 10 of the 21-man group — but a lack of foreign-based players hardly means they can be taken lightly.
“The European qualifiers are always really strong,” said New Zealand defender Jesse Edge. “[Ukraine] are good at set pieces so that is a big focus for us. But also we need to stick to our style of play and not focus too much on them.”
Ukraine conceded three goals in six qualification games and a combination of strength and organisation will be tough to break down but, based on what is to follow, New Zealand really require at least a draw. Match two: United States, North Harbour Stadium, June 2, 7pm The United States are the favourites to top group A, and deservedly so. Customarily well-funded at youth level, the US boast the group’s best squad and will have designs on winning all three matches.
Possessing a handful of players scattered around Europe’s top leagues, the undisputed jewel in the crown is Gedion Zelalem, with the Arsenal midfielder representing previously representing Germany at youth level before being anointed the next great hope of American soccer.
Depending on the outcome of the opener against Ukraine, New Zealand’s focus against the US could be about limiting the damage, considering the potential impact of goal dif-
ference on the final standings. Match three: Myanmar, Wellington Regional Stadium, June 5, 7pm That factor could well play a part in New Zealand’s final group game against a side shaping as one of the tournament’s strugglers.
If the hosts head into the Myanmar match without a win, a glut of goals will be needed to advance to the second stage as one of the top-ranked third-placed sides.
Attempting to enter through that back door with only three points is a serious risk.
Four points, however, should be enough, hence the importance of the opener against Ukraine.
Earn a draw from that encounter and New Zealand may be safe in the knowledge that victory over Myanmar will be enough to seal safe passage.