KEY POINTS:
There were no rewards for effort as New Zealand lost 0-1 to Gambia in the men's under-20 soccer World Cup in Canada today.
The New Zealanders gave their all but were ultimately undone by a 22nd-minute strike by Ousman Jallow which decided the outcome of the group C match in Toronto.
Having opened their campaign with a 0-2 loss against two-time champions Portugal, the New Zealanders targeted this match as being crucial to their hopes of progressing past the group stage.
The match was full of fluid movement but the Gambians' size, pace and skill were a notch above that of the New Zealanders, who left nothing on the field in terms of endeavour.
Goalkeeper Jason Spoonley was clinical and efficient to ensure his side were always in the game, despite Gambia making 20 shots at goal compared to the 10 of the Junior All Whites.
New Zealand were fortunate to find themselves only 0-1 behind at halftime.
Gambia created any number of scoring opportunities despite New Zealand stacking their defence and Spoonley could make a fair case for overtime pay given the amount of work he was called on to do.
Gambia were twice denied by the left post, while Spoonley was beaten on another occasion only for left back Ian Hogg to clear off the line.
The Africans would not be denied, though, and Jallow put his side ahead in the 22nd minute with a glancing header from close range which gave Spoonley little chance.
Gambia fully deserved their lead although New Zealand had their own chances to equalise, which they spurned.
Captain Dan Keat provided poor finishing touches in the 32nd and 35th to squander genuine opportunities in front of goal.
New Zealand showed improved creativity and accuracy in the second spell but still could not break down Gambia's resolute defence.
Keat put in a strong header from a fine cross by Nick Roydhouse in the 63rd minute but Gambian goalie Joe Gomez had positioned himself perfectly to smother the threat.
Their best chance came in the 75th minute when striker Jeremy Brockie found himself at close range with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Gomez was again up to the challenge, diving at Brockie's feet to keep a clean sheet.
Five minutes later they pushed forward again, Keat putting in a hanging ball, which Greg Draper headed into the crossbar.
New Zealand's final group match is against Mexico on Monday (NZT).
- NZPA
