‘It’s just another game of football’

New Zealand under-20 football players huddle
Photo: Photosport

The New Zealand U20 football side face a daunting task tomorrow when they meet the USA at the World Cup in Argentina.

The United States won all three of its pool games without conceding a goal while the Junior All Whites had to rely on other results going their way to book a spot in the top 16.

Head coach Darren Bazeley said it was an anxious wait to see if his side had qualified.

“We knew we shouldn’t have been in that position. We should have closed the game out against Uzbekistan. Watching those games was pretty tough. I didn’t really enjoy waiting for other people to do certain things. I would much rather just get it done ourselves rather than other people looking after us.”

It was uncomfortable viewing for New Zealand after the side defeated Guatemala 1-0 before a draw with Uzbekistan and a heavy loss to the hosts meant other results had to go their way.

Now set to clash with the unbeaten United States, Bazeley is under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits them.

“It’s going to be very difficult but I feel like we have some players that can have moments like we’ve shown before, if we can get those players in areas of the pitch, and we let them have some freedom in the attacking areas where they could have one of those moments.”

Despite the threat the Americans pose, Bazeley said it is a chance to make history.

“It’s just another game. This is an opportunity to make history and whilst we’ve talked about it this time, we are treating it like just another game. It’s 11 v 11. We’re all the same age players and there is nothing that’s going to happen in this game that you won’t have had in any game you’ve played before. It’s just another game of football.”

He said the beauty of the U20 tournament is that any team can beat any team on any day.

New Zealand vs USA

Wednesday 31 May – 5:30am

Mendoza Stadium, Mendoza