Portugal next for NZ’s under-20 hopefuls
New Zealand will meet Portugal in their final 16 Fifa under-20 World Cup football match in Hamilton on Thursday night.
New Zealand sealed their spot in the final 16 last Friday night when they came back from 1-0 down to thrash Myanmar 5-1 in a group A clash in Wellington.
It was the first time the Kiwis have made it past the group stage in the 38-year history of the event.
Ukraine topped Group A to advance, along with the United States and New Zealand.
Ghana topped Group B drawing their final game 1-1 with Austria, who finished second in the pool. Argentina was one of the casualties in the group, missing out along with Panama.
Argentina lost 3-2 to Ghana, after opening with a 2-2 draw with Panama. On Friday night, a 0-0 draw with Austria in Wellington confirmed their early exit.
Portugal was the dominant team in Group C going through with three wins – 3-0 over Senegal, 4-0 against Qatar and a 3-1 victory over Colombia in Dunedin on Saturday.
Colombia sneaked through on goal difference after finishing level on points with Senegal who also made it through to the knockout stage.
In Group D, Serbia finished on top with a 2-0 win over Mexico in Dunedin on Saturday. The Europeans took the lead in the second minute and never looked back knocking the Mexicans out of the tournament in the process.
Mali and Uruguay drew their last round match 1-1 in Hamilton on Saturday to finish level on four points and advance to the final 16.
Brazil topped Group E with three wins, scoring three second-half goals to beat North Korea in Christchurch on Sunday night. The Brazilians return to New Plymouth to play Uruguay in a knockout match Thursday night.
Nigeria finished second in Group E after their 2-0 win over Hungary in New Plymouth last night. Nigeria will now play Germany in Christchurch on Thursday. Hungary made it through on goal differential and will play Serbia, in Dunedin, on Wednesday.
Group F was headed by Germany with three wins, who thrashed Honduras 5-1 in Christchurch on Sunday. Germany led 2-1 at halftime and added three more goals to advance.
There was a battle for second spot in the group with three teams – Uzbekistan, Fiji and Honduras – all in with a chance heading into the final round of play.
Uzbekistan’s 3-0 win over Fiji meant three teams – Uzbekistan, Fiji and Honduras – finished level on three points, each with one win. Uzbekistan were the lucky team, going through on goal differential to the final 16 where they will meet Austria in Whangarei on Thursday.
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