The New Zealand U-20 men have already created history with their match-winning exploits at the FIFA U-20 World Cup. But another ground-breaking achievement will be on offer when they meet Uruguay in the early hours of Friday morning (NZT).

Des Buckingham’s side is the first from these shores to win back-to-back matches at an U-20 World Cup and will also become the first to top their group in any FIFA tournament if they can avoid defeat against the South Americans.

While New Zealand’s place in the Round of 16 is secure and a draw would be enough to advance from Group C in pole position, their campaign has so far been marked by a positive approach and that seems unlikely to change tomorrow.

It was a similar scenario three days ago against Norway but there were never any thoughts of not getting on the front foot, a mind-set that was rewarded with a fully-deserved 2-0 victory.

“We went into the game with a plan to win it,” Buckingham says.

“We knew a draw would probably be enough but we wanted to try and make sure of our passage. We were very much aware that Norway are an excellent team but we’ve got good players and have put a framework together that allows them to express themselves on the world stage – I think they’ve done that fantastically well in the last couple of weeks.”

Securing a knockout spot with a game to spare gives Buckingham the opportunity to freshen up his starting line-up, a luxury that has previously been afforded to only one other New Zealand coach. Leon Birnie was in the same position last year after his charges had won their first two matches at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and took full advantage, making eight changes for their final group game against Ghana.

That decision paid off as Birnie went on to lead New Zealand to a historic third-place finish and Buckingham would have no qualms about following suit.

“There’s a lot of players that have played 90 minutes in the last two games and, if they’re ready and able to, then I’d have no issue with starting them again,” he says.

“But we’ve also got ten other players who have either finished the game or not come on. They’re raring to go and I would have no issue in starting any of the 21 players that have come away with us.”

One of those figures yet to feature is Max Mata, who won the golden boot in the qualifying tournament but was suspended for the first two World Cup matches. His return to action is a timely boost for Buckingham, who says Mata brings unique qualities both on and off the pitch.

                       Striker Max Mata is now available for selection to New Zealand U-20 coach Des Buckingham

“I’ve brought Max with us for two reasons,” he explains.

“One, because of his on-field performances, he’s a real threat and a goal scorer and the idea was that we would get more than one game out of him. The minimum would be two and we’ve managed to secure that now but it doesn’t necessarily mean he plays,” Buckingham adds.

“But he’s also got some really strong leadership qualities and we’ve been doing a lot of work around our culture. We’ve brought in some real cultural traditions and Maori heritage and Max is a big driver of that. So it was important to me that we involved him, both for his on-field opportunities but also what we’re doing away from the pitch with this group of players.”

Like New Zealand, Uruguay have won both of their group matches and their South American flair will pose a different kind of challenge to that provided by Norway.

“They’re very quick and have got some very good players,” Buckingham says.

“So they’ll be another tough one for us but we’ll be as prepared as we have been for the last two games.”

Match Details

New Zealand vs Uruguay
FIFA U-20 World Cup, Group C
Friday 31 May, 4am NZT
Lodz Stadium, Lodz
Live on SKY Sport

New Zealand (from): 1. Michael Woud (GK), 2. George Stanger, 3. Dalton Wilkins, 4. Gianni Stensness, 5. Nando Pijnaker, 6. Dane Schnell, 7. Elijah Just, 8. Joe Bell (c), 9. Max Mata, 10. Sarpreet Singh, 11. Matt Conroy, 12. Cameron Brown (GK), 13. Liberato Cacace, 14. Leon van den Hoven, 15. Trevor Zwetsloot, 16. Dominic Wooldridge, 17. Callan Elliot, 18. Ben Waine, 19. Callum McCowatt, 20. Willem Ebbinge, 21. Zac Jones (GK)
Coach: Des Buckingham

Article added: Thursday 30 May 2019