KEY POINTS:
Defensive discipline and the need to accept any attacking scraps tossed their way are the key to New Zealand's chances of picking up vital points in this morning's clash with Gambia at the Under-20 World Cup in Canada.
Beaten 2-0 by six-time European and twice world champions Portugal in their opening game on Tuesday, coach Stu Jacobs' New Zealanders were punished by a freekick and a penalty after shoddy challenges.
The New Zealand defenders, apart from those misdemeanours which were gloriously converted by Portuguese captain Bruno Gama, battled gallantly against the odds to achieve a result which was deservedly given a pass mark. They can expect more of the same today.
Like New Zealand, the Africans must bounce back from a first round loss - Gambia beaten 3-0 by Mexico - to have any chance of booking a place in the next phase as one of the top two teams in group C.
The Gambians, who beat Zambia to finish third in the African Confederation after losing 1-0 to eventual champions Nigeria in the semifinals, are renowned for their off-the-cuff attacking style and will be keen to test the New Zealand defence.
Jacobs is aware of, but not fazed by, the threat posed by the Africans.
"If there is a side we're going to beat it is Gambia and we've got to go in believing that," said Jacobs. "They're quick, very athletic and back themselves. They stream forward in that attacking third and back their individual flair. It's the typical African mentality. But if we can defend as well as we did against Portugal and value possession and be a bit more constructive with it, I think we have got a real chance."
Jacobs has not named his team but has indicated he will go with the same XI that played Portugal.
Any change is likely to come on attack with suggestions he might go with Jeremy Brockie and Greg Draper as a twin strikeforce. Both missed gilt-edged late chances in their tournament opener after Draper was injected (for Cole Peverley) in the 64th minute.
While Portugal and Mexico seem set to progress to the second round, the winner of the New Zealand v Gambia game will still have a chance to go through as one of the best four (of six) third place finishers.
"We are not saying they're going to be easy-beats," said Jacobs. "We're going to have to work as hard, if not harder than we did against Portugal, because it's always tough playing a team that's a little less structured.
"But if we defend well we might be able to catch them on the break."
The game will be shown live on Sky Sport 2 at 8.45am.
