NZ players, from left, Clayton Lewis, Deklan Wynne, Joel Stevens, captain Bill Tuiloma, Sam Brotherton and Adam Mitchell. Photo / Jason Oxenham
Sean Lovemore will never forget the moment he narrowly missed the winning goal in front of 50,000 people at the 2011 Fifa U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Lovemore was playing for the Junior All Whites in their opening game against Cameroon when, late in the second half, the ball was crossed to him in the box.
His volley, which he said "could have won us the game", went over the crossbar. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The 22-year-old said he was "gutted" at missing that shot.
"But hopefully someone gets that opportunity this time and finishes it," he said.
The 2015 Fifa U-20 World Cup kicks off on Saturday at North Harbour Stadium, with New Zealand taking on Ukraine.
Excitment surrounding the big event is increasing, as preparations continue - including members of the New Zealand side being presented with their playing shirts at the East Coast Bays Football Club on Auckland's North Shore yesterday.
Lovemore, who now plays striker for Hawkes Bay United in the ASB Premiership, said the current New Zealand U-20 side were "a good bunch of young players" who had every chance to progress to the knockout stages.
He said competing at a Fifa World Cup and playing against some of the best national team players from all over the world was "a once in a lifetime opportunity".
Lovemore, who also plays for Onehunga Sports in the Northern Premier League, said New Zealand's 21-man squad should enjoy every minute as it was an honour to represent your country at such an event.
He said the atmosphere in Colombia in 2011 was "unbelievable", with 40,000-50,000 people at every game.
Although crowds were likely to be a lot smaller than that in New Zealand, he said the home advantage would help the Kiwi side.
Lovemore was planning to go along to a few of the games and hoped there would be decent-sized crowds.
"I hope many others also go down to watch, as this won't happen again for a long time, if not ever again," he said.
"It will be a very good tournament and it's nice to have it in New Zealand.
"Hopefully it will encourage more people to get involved."
He had a few words of advice for the New Zealand players.
"Enjoy it is the number one, and use the pressure as motive to push on. It will come very quickly ... work hard and regret nothing."
The 2011 Junior All Whites failed to progress to the knockout stages after also drawing with Uruguay and losing to Portugal.
Lovemore said although New Zealand's pool - made up of Ukraine, USA and Myanmar - might sound easier this year, it definitely was not.
"All these teams - [the] majority of them will be fulltime pros, or at least thereabout. So it's never easy.
"But I feel they have every chance to progress if they do all the right things."
What:
The second most important men's event in the International Football Federation's calendar after the senior World Cup. In total, 24 countries will play 52 matches at cities around New Zealand.
When: May 30-June 20.
Where: World Cup games will be played in Whangarei (Northland Events Centre), Auckland (North Harbour Stadium), Hamilton (Waikato Stadium), New Plymouth (Stadium Taranaki), Wellington (Wellington Regional Stadium), Christchurch (Christchurch Stadium), and Dunedin (Otago Stadium).
Cost: Tickets start from $19 for adults and $8 for children. You can buy tickets here.
Fever pitch: Located in all seven host cities will be free fan-zones known as 'Fever Pitches'. They will be located in Whangarei (Cameron St Mall), Auckland (Queens Wharf and Queen Elizabeth Square), Hamilton (Garden Place), New Plymouth (Puke Ariki Museum), Wellington (Civic Square and Railway Station), Christchurch (Westfield Mall, Riccarton) and Dunedin (The Octagon). They will be open every day from the start of the tournament on May 30 to the last game on June 20.
Some of the free entertainment provided at these fan zones includes interactive soccer-skills stations, a tournament information "locker room", football skills demonstrations and a chance for fans to have their faces painted in team colours.
Saturday, May 30:
New Zealand v Ukraine, North Harbour Stadium 1pm.
Tuesday, June 2: New Zealand v USA, North Harbour Stadium 7pm.
Friday, June 5: Myanmar v New Zealand, Wellington Regional Stadium 7pm.
Quarter-finals: Sunday, June 14.
Semifinals: Wednesday, June 17: Christchurch Stadium 4pm and North Harbour Stadium 7.30pm.
Third place playoff: Saturday, June 20, North Harbour Stadium 1.30pm.
Final: Saturday, June 20, North Harbour Stadium 5pm.
For more information see fifa.com/u20worldcup/news
Saturday was hard to reconcile with what we have seen over the last two months.