New Zealand’s U-20 men’s side have beaten Ecuador 1-0 in warm-up game ahead of this weekend’s start of the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in Argentina.
The Wellington Phoenix’s Ben Wallace scored the winner in the 71st minute in his first appearance for the side.
Main photo: The New Zealand starting line-up. Photo credit: NZ Football.
Playing at Estadio Alfredo Beranger, Buenos Aires, head coach Darren Bazeley used 20 of his 21-player squad.
“It was a good preparation match for us with almost everyone getting good playing minutes,” Bazeley told NZ Football.
“We had some really good moments in the game that gives us a lot to build on.
“I’m really happy for the players to gain some success against a very good South American team, and so pleased for Ben Wallace to score a goal on his debut.
“Definitely things to continue to develop, but some really strong performances as we move now to the FIFA U-20 World Cup games.”
Result
Game played on Tuesday May 16, 2023 (NZT)
New Zealand 1 (Ben Wallace 71′)
Ecuador 0
Line-up
New Zealand
Kees Sims (Henry Gray 46′), Isaac Hughes (Finn Linder 46′), Finn Surman (captain), Lukas Kelly-Heald (Aaryan Raj 65′), Jackson Jarvie (Everton O’Leary 70′), Adam Supyk (Norman Garbett 65′), Fin Conchie, Jackson Manuel (Dan McKay 46′), Jay Herdman (Ben Wallace 60′), Noah Karunaratne (Oli Fay 60′), Oliver Colloty (Kian Donkers 46′).
More about the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup
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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