New Zealand’s first opponents at the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup are claiming an advantage in their preparation for the tournament.
Guatemala are the first team to arrive in Argentina where the tournament is due to start on May 20, and the side has already played three of four warm-up games, keeping clean sheets in all their outings.
Main photo: The Guatemala starting line-up for their second pre-tournament friendly game.
Head coach Rafael Loredo — who says his team is there to win the tournament — insisted on taking a 23-player squad early to Argentina to allow a full training camp in local conditions.
Loredo will slim his squad to 21 when required to submit his final selection to FIFA.
Guatemala played their first warm-up game on Friday May 5, beating local club Sacachispas Fútbol Club 2-0.
On Monday May 8, Guatemala drew 0-0 against the reserve team from Club Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.
On Wednesday May 10, the side drew 0-0 with Club Atlético Villa San Carlos, a third division side.
They play their fourth warm-up game, against Club Atlético Los Andes, another third division club.
Coach Loredo, in charge since mid-2020, is confident his side will surprise at the tournament.
“It is important that the world finds out how our players play. The boys will be able to show themselves. It is motivating to play against the host.” he told Sporting News.
Guatemala’s win against New Zealand
Guatemala beat New Zealand’s U-20 side 3-1 at a hastily-organised four-nation tournament in Indonesia in February 2023.
Nine members of the New Zealand squad missed the game because of travel issues caused by weather.
READ MORE: New Zealand U-20 men’s team lose 3-1 to Guatemala at international tournament >>>>
READ MORE: Nine members of national U-20 squad miss tournament opener due to travel issues >>>>
Guatemala
Guatemala have taken 23 players to their training camp in Argentina but will exclude two from their final tournament squad.
Goalkeepers
Jorge Moreno (Comunicaciones FC)
David Aldana (SD Municipal)
Fausto Delgado (Global Soccer Academy)
Defenders
Anderson Gaitan (CSD Municipal)
Juan Mancilla (CSD Municipal)
Randall Corado (CSD Municipal)
Jonathan Franco (SD Municipal)
Jeshua Urizar (Deportivo Mixco)
Arian Recinos (NY Red Bulls, United States)
Midfielders
Rudy Munoz (CSD Municipal)
Figo Montano (CSD Municipal)
Andy Dominguez (Comunicaciones FC)
Emerson Raymond (Suchitepequez)
Jorge Solorzano (SUN Matadors, United States)
Edy Palencia (Comunicaciones FC)
Daniel Cardoza (Comunicaciones FC)
Allan Juarez (San Jose Earthquakes, United States)
Nestor Cabrera (New York Red Bulls, United States)
Carlos Santos (Iztapa)
Forwards
Jose Espinoza (Zacapa)
Anderson Villagran (Deportivo Malacateco)
Jeffery Bantes (CSD Municipal)
Archimedes Ordonez (Cincinnati, United States)
Head coach
Rafael Loredo
Fixtures
New Zealand are in the same group as hosts Argentina, and Guatemala and Uzbekistan at the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup, due to start on May 20.
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READ MORE: Fixture schedule announced for FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in Argentina >>>>
Game to be played on Sunday May 21, 2023 (NZT)
Guatemala v New Zealand
Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estoro, 6am (NZT)
Check out the stadium for New Zealand’s opening game:
Game to be played on Wednesday May 24, 2023 (NZT)
New Zealand v Uzbekistan
Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estoro, 6am (NZT)
Game to be played on Saturday May 27, 2023 (NZT)
New Zealand v Argentina
Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, 9am
Full schedule
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