New Zealand faces Colombia in round of 16 at FIFA U-20 World Cup

New Zealand will face Colombia in the round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, after bowing 2-0 to Uruguay on Friday in their last match of the season. group C [NZ time].

Coach Buckingham made nine changes to his starting lineup, preferring to let most of his first-choice players, including goalkeeper Michael Woud, rest before the clash that will take place on Monday. [kick off 6.30am NZ time].

Uruguay's boss, Gustavo Ferreyra, made eight changes himself, giving six players their first starts in the tournament. The match was often like a match between two teams focused on the meetings with bigger issues that await next week.

Central defenders Nando Pijnaker and George Stanger were the only ones to come back in New Zealand's first two games, as Buckingham chose not to fight for a win or a draw that would have earned them a knockout match against a team ranked third. Group A, B or F instead.

READ MORE:
* Buckingham supports all the team
* Singh: We can win the world cup
* NZ goalkeeper unwanted by the Australian
* Kiwis triumph at Fifa events

The game at the Łódź stadium took a long time to move, unaided by the early stoppage that occurred when Kiwi midfielder Trevor Zwetsloot had to take off on a stretcher. injured knee. .

This involved a quick introduction for Joe Bell, who might have waited 90 minutes of rest.

Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez was the busiest player during a rather calm first half.

Stanger was called on to make two crucial interventions early, one to deny Núñez, and one to deny Thomas Chacon, while substitute goalkeeper Cam Brown had some nervous moments while he felt good in the game.

New Zealand had a solid ball possession around half an hour. Offensive midfielder Willem Ebbinge was at the center of their best moments. He had almost found Max Mata on a cross coming from the left, which gave a corner in the 36th minute.

At this point, New Zealand had spent more than 200 minutes without conceding a goal in the tournament, but this impressive race ended five minutes from half-time, when Núñez was able to score a ball at the edge from the penalty area and shoot over Brown in the center. Pijnaker and Stanger support by giving him a fraction of too much space.

It was a disappointing way for them to turn around, with Emiliano Ancheta's center coming from the right that should have been easily treated, but they had done enough to hint that a equalizer was not out of reach at the beginning of the second half.

The Kiwis had good times early in the second period, with Ebbinge and back Dalton Wilkins on the left, but getting closer, there were more chances for Uruguay on the clock, with Gianni Stensness – instead of Stanger at the break. – must intervene to prevent South Americans from doubling their lead over the hour of play.

Brown was forced to make a good save with 15 minutes of play, dipping to avoid an attempt by Juan Sanabria on the edge of the field, but New Zealand continued to press for a result, making Sarpreet Singh Pijnaker's place, with Wooldridge moving to center back.

In the 85th minute, Bell had the best chance of the match by playing a double with Mata to free himself in the left zone, and then dismiss his shot from the far post. Another followed in stoppage time, when the ball was played on the edge of the box and his fierce shot fell straight on a defender.

Substitute Brian Rodriguez finally charged New Zealand for seeking a result in the fifth minute of overtime.

The second kiwis were far from being outclbaded, but they lacked a decisive advantage in attack to create net opportunities, they failed to score a shot on goal, as they finished second in their group , organizing an absolute confrontation with Colombia. , who finished second in group A.

When the starters return for the match at the Łódź stadium on Monday, New Zealand will try to overtake the knockout stage of the U-20 World Cup for the third time, having lost at this stage against Portugal in 2015. and the United States in 2017.

Uruguay 2 (Darwin Núñez 40 & # 39; Brian Rodriguez 90 & # 39; + 5) New Zealand 0.
HT: 1-0