The result is New Zealand’s second narrow loss to a fellow FIFA U-20 World Cup finalist at the four-nation warm-up tournament after losing 0-1 to Uruguay on Thursday.
New Zealand finish the quadrangular competition on Tuesday against African U-20 champions Nigeria, who drew 2-2 with Uruguay in the day’s early match to share the group lead.
The Koreans opened the match at a frenetic pace, scoring after just five minutes and forcing two sharp saves from New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic.
Marco Rojas saw a testing 11th minute volley from the edge of the area parried into the path of Dakota Lucas, who forced another save from the Korean goalkeeper but was ruled offside anyway.
The home side hit the post in the 63rd minute and Marinovic saved a one-on-one three minutes later to keep New Zealand in the game. The Germany-based gloveman also produced a fine injury time save to keep out a Korean free-kick to cap an outstanding individual contribution.
Nikko Boxall got his head to one of a series of Marco Rojas free kicks but put his effort over the bar and a handful of long throws late in the game resulted in some goalmouth scrambles that were ultimately safely cleared by an increasingly nervous home defence.
New Zealand coach Chris Milicich was disappointed with a second straight loss but thought the experience would serve his team well come the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Colombia this July.
“We are learning some lessons about what we need to do to step up to this level and that is what this tournament is about for us,” he said.
“Korea were quick, strong and skilful with great movement and also a gamesmanship that perhaps our players weren’t expecting from such a good side. We defended well in patches and the players should be given some credit to keep the score at 1-0 after conceding so early.”
Suwon International Youth (U-20) Tournament 2011
Suwon World Cup Stadium
Suwon, Korea Republic
Korea Republic 1 (5’)
New Zealand 0
Halftime: 1-0
New Zealand: Stefan MARINOVIC (gk), Ant HOBBS(c), Nikko BOXALL, James MUSA, Liam HIGGINS, Marco ROJAS, Adam THOMAS (Nick BRANCH 56’), Jamie DORIS, Michael BUILT (Sean LOVEMORE 73’), Dakota LUCAS (Andy BEVIN 60’), Ryan CAIN.
Substitutes not used: Alex CARR (rgk), Luis ESTEVEZ, Ethan GALBRAITH, Cameron LINDSAY, Andrew MILNE, Zane SOLE.
Coach: Chris MILICICH
Upcoming match
New Zealand v Nigeria
May 10, 2011
Kickoff: 11.30am (2.30 NZT)
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz