Soccer: Young All Whites keep Cup dream alive

Young All White Bill Tuiloma battles for possession against the US. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand will play Japan in Monterrey on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Mexico following yesterday's 0-0 draw with 10-man United States.

With their point, New Zealand and the US finished with identical records in equal second place in group D. The cards then fell kindly for Aaron McFarland and his Young All Whites as the US won the ballot for second place - and an almost-certain round-of-16 clash with group E winners Germany.

New Zealand and the US went into yesterday's final pool D match aware that a draw would be enough for both to progress.

The Americans, keen to win and take the group, dominated the first half but failed to break down a resolute New Zealand defensive effort and, after losing captain Marc Pelosi to a second yellow card in the 69th minute, happily played out time to preserve their point.

It was not a great spectacle - many fans walked out in the last 15 minutes - but both camps were happy with the outcome which left Uzbekistan, beaten 4-1 by New Zealand in the opening round, as group winners after yesterday's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic (who beat the Young All Whites 1-0).

The Czech Republic joined the teams on the early flights home while McFarland awaited the outcome of the drawing of lots in Mexico City where new Oceania Confederation president David Chung drew the US marble as the second-placed finisher.

"The game was as expected," said McFarland. "We did our homework ... and we knew what was going to come our way."

While obviously pleased with the results so far, McFarland was just as happy with the manner in which they had been achieved.

"What is important is how our boys have played here in Mexico. I am pleased that we are moving through to the second round as this was our goal. It's a great achievement for our country, a young football nation."

It is the second successive Under-17 World Cup in which New Zealand have progressed beyond pool play.

For the first 30 or so minutes the US dominated but without seriously testing the ever-impressive Scott Basalaj in the New Zealand goal. The Americans forced eight corners to one in the opening 37 minutes but failed to threaten.

The closest the Young All Whites went to scoring came in the last minute of the half when Tim Payne headed Jordan Vale's cross wide.

Scoring chances - at both ends - were few and far between in the second spell and once Pelosi was red-carded for tugging Stephen Carmichael's shirt after an earlier booking for a half-hearted challenge, both teams resigned themselves to playing for a point and a place in the last 16.

Japan, who finished third equal with Australia in the Asian qualifiers, won their group with a 1-0 win over Jamaica, a 1-1 draw with France and a 3-1 win over Argentina.

A point from their game with Panama this morning will be enough to seal group E for Germany, who have already beaten Ecuador 6-1 and Burkina Faso 3-0.

Australia, who play pointless Denmark at noon today, are still alive and could finish second in group F which would book them a round-of-16 clash with France.