The hosts claimed the victory thanks to a 24th minute spot kick at the Phoenix Sports Centre Stadium while the New Zealand side had a goal disallowed late in the first half when an offside flag ruled out Tomislav Trbuhovic’s flicked finish from Andre de Jong’s freekick.
Speaking straight after the game, Junior All Whites coach Darren Bazeley was frustrated a winning opportunity slipped through the team’s grasp away from home.
“The boys are disappointed because we had a chance to win the game today,” Bazeley said.
“None of us like losing, especially in a match where we were never really out of control of the game. The way we conceded; we’ve given them the goal really with a bad mistake in possession which culminated in the penalty.
“But I think we’ve shown that we can go abroad and we can perform and compete and we’ve learned a few things.”
Fresh from their All Whites appearance against South Africa in Auckland on Friday, Bill Tuiloma and Matt Ridenton were influential for the Junior All Whites.
“Bill playing at centre back today was very good and Matt worked tirelessly and had a really strong game and was really positive in midfield.”
Ahead of Friday’s second match against Brazil, Bazeley said the team will aim to make forward progress in their work with the ball after several good scoring chances were left untaken on Wednesday.
“We’ve shown that we can defend and be compact and we can press when we need to and counter attack.
“What we need to show now is that we are better in possession and we’re a little more clinical with our final ball and the finish when we get closer to the opposition goal.”
The Junior All Whites’ next match is against Brazil on Friday 6 June at 7pm (NZ time) before they complete their tournament with Sunday’s clash with Croatia.
Match details
Phoenix Sports Centre Stadium
Dujiangyan City, China
China 1
New Zealand 0
Halftime: 1-0
New Zealand: 1. Oliver Sail (GK), 3. Cory Brown, 4. Birhanu Taye, 6. Jesse Edge, 7. Joel Stevens, 8. Bill Tuiloma (5. Adam Mitchell 81’), 10. Matthew Ridenton, 11. Alex Rufer (16. Monty Patterson 66’), 14. Andre de Jong (18. Michael Den Heijer 69’), 15. Daniel Bowkett (21. Judd Baker 81’) (19. Brock Messenger 84’) 20. Tomislav Trbuhovic (9. Stuart Holthusen 62’)
Substitutes not used: 2. Te Atawhai Wihongi-Hudson, 12. Damian Hirst (GK)
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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