Oceania champions New Zealand have reignited their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Egypt in Group A, overcoming an early setback to secure a crucial three points after both sides suffered defeats in their opening fixtures.
The match burst into life just five minutes in, when Egypt capitalised on a New Zealand error deep in their own half. Captain Mahmoud Kabaka pounced on the loose ball and rifled a stunning effort from the edge of the area into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Henry Gray no chance.
But the Junior All Whites responded with composure and quality, quickly turning the tide. The 13th minute saw Luke Brooke-Smith, just 17 years old, finish off a well-worked team goal. Midfielder Stipe Ukich found space out wide before delivering a perfectly placed low cross into the box, which Smith slammed home past Egypt’s Ahmed Wahp to level the scores.
Just three minutes later, New Zealand struck again. A clever combination down the left flank involving Troy Putt and Fergus Gillion released Codey Phoenix, whose precise delivery found Xuan Loke ghosting into the box. Loke timed his run perfectly and slotted the ball through the keeper’s legs to give New Zealand the lead.
Egypt pushed hard for an equaliser. Kabaka and Naiel both came close, while goalkeeper Henry Gray made several vital saves.
Egypt dominated possession and piled on the pressure in the second half but they couldn’t find a way through the resolute New Zealand defence.
A rare second-half counterattack from New Zealand nearly yielded a third goal They worked the ball out wide to Nathan Walker, whose clipped cross was met by Keegan Kelly and the ball dropped to Ukich at the back post, but he couldn’t bring it under control.
The result lifts New Zealand to 3 points and keeps their chances of making the knockout rounds alive with a final Group match against Japan to come.
NEW ZEALAND 2 (Luke BROOKE-SMITH 13’, Xuan LOKE 16’)
Egypt 1 (Ahmed KABAKA 5’)
HT 2-1
Photo Credit: FIFA via Getty Images