New Zealand to take positive approach into U-20 World Cup game — coach

Head coach Darren Bazeley expects Uzbekistan to be “highly aggressive” in their game plan against New Zealand, knowing a loss will send them home early from the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in Argentina.

Needing a win to stay at the tournament, the Asian age-group champions will be fit, strong and “they’ll not give us as much time in possession”, Bazeley says.

“They need to beat us,” he told a media briefing on the eve of the match to be played on Wednesday (6am NZT).

Uzbekistan put up a decent fight in their 2-1 loss to Argentina on Sunday, after taking the lead against the hosts.

A win or draw for New Zealand could see the team en route to the knockout stages but Bazeley said it would be dangerous to go into the match with a plan not to lose.

“We’re going to try and win, and be positive in our approach,” he said.

“They (Uzbekistan) play at a high tempo, with fit and strong players and they are aggressive in the press.

“They’re going to come out firing. We can’t afford to go into that game trying not to lose, or trying to draw. It’s dangerous to let your opponent have too much of the ball; they will eventually hurt you.”

Bazeley indicated he would make some changes to the starting line-up, to ensure some fresh legs with the team backing up after its 1-0 win against Guatemala on Sunday.

The matchday squad would have a bench to enable New Zealand to change its shape or adapt to circumstances during the match.

He said he had good support helping him make decisions in the dugout, in assistant coaches Paul Temple and Martin Bullock, and goalkeeper coach Glen Moss.

Meanwhile, the players were settling in well at their training base and “are starting to feel at home at this level.”

“Everyone’s itching to play,” he said.

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Fixture

Game to be played on Wednesday May 24, 2023 (NZT)

New Zealand v Uzbekistan
Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estoro, 6am (NZT)

How to watch

New Zealand’s game against Uzbekistan will be broadcast live by Sky Sport 1, with coverage starting at 5.50am.

You can also watch the live stream of the match through the FIFA+ platform here:

Squads

Fixture

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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