The pair had met at Colombia 2011, where both Juan Verzeri and Chris Milicich had been coaching the sides, as they did today. There was to be no repeat of the 1-1 draw in Cali though, as Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Nicolas Lopez got Uruguay their first win of Turkey 2013.
Both sides had suffered defeats in their first games of the tournament, but after impressing in the second-half against Croatia, Uruguay looked set to be a difficult ask for the Oceanic side.
Milicich made four changes to the team that lost 3-0 to Uzbekistan with Scott Basalaj coming into the goal in place of Max Crocombe while Justin Gulley, Liam Higgins and Ryan Thomas got the nod ahead of Bill Tuiloma, Tom Biss and Hamish Watson.
The Junior All Whites task got tougher almost immediately when the South Americans made the perfect start within the first five minutes after Giorgian De Arrascaeta was brought down by Tim Payne.
The attacking-midfielder lined up the free-kick 20-yards out from goal before curling an unstoppable strike into the top left corner and past a helpless Basalaj.
In a sun-baked Araturk Stadium in Bursa, Uruguay continued to dominate possession as New Zealand worked hard to limit opportunities and counter-attack. However the skilful De Arrascaeta was proving to be a handful at the head of Los Charruas’ midfield.
The Kiwis found their chances on attack limited in the first half, with their only on target effort coming from a Payne cross which Thomas sent towards goal, but it nicked off Guillermo Vaerla and went wide.
After the break the Junior All Whites defence continued to earn their keep as Uruguay, content to hold onto possession in the first period, went searching for a second goal.
Nicolas Lopez proved a constant threat, forcing Basalaj to make a fine save early in the second half as the ball broke kindly for him inside the area, but his high shot on the turn was palmed over the bar well.
However the Uruguayan attacker was hungry for a goal of his own and before long he finally had it, extending his side’s lead. Top scorer for Uruguay in the qualifiers picked up a ball nodded down by Felipe Avenatti and though his initial strike struck the post, he was able to tap in for the goal.
The Junior All Whites’ final group match against Croatia is on 29 June and now becomes a must win game if the side are to have any hope of progressing out of the group and into the next round.
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