New Zealand have again shown they are not out of place at the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup but a 1-0 loss to Gambia has left them grappling with the fact it takes goals and points, not credibility, to
advance to the second round.
The Oceania champions were made to pay dearly for an inexcusably tentative first half in Toronto when Gambian star Ousman Jallow powered a 22nd minute header through the fingertips of goalkeeper
Jacob Spoonley.
Gambia’s 1-0 win leaves them in pole position to nab a spot in the second round as one of the tournament’s four (out of six) best third place finishers while New Zealand face the daunting prospect of
having to beat Mexico in Edmonton on Monday (NZT) to have any chance of escaping Group C.
New Zealand responded to coach Stu Jacobs half-time roasting to finish strongly but were again left to rue late chances that went begging as had been the case in their 2-0 loss to Portugal on Tuesday
(NZT).
Story courtesy NZF Media…