KEY POINTS:
New Zealand slumped to a 4-0 loss to hosts South Korea today, in an ominous hit out before their under-17 soccer World Cup opener against Brazil on Saturday.
Colin Tuaa's side was left to rue four early misses before the Koreans built on a late first half strike with three more goals after halftime at Jeju.
It was not the dress rehearsal Tuaa had hoped for ahead of New Zealand's group B opener against the South Americans (8pm NZT).
"We just didn't play well. It's not ideal but in some ways it may have been a good wake-up call," he said.
"Costa (Barbarouses) and Chris Wood, twice, whizzed shots by and Ben Hunt missed an open goal with a header all in the first 20 minutes," Tuaa lamented.
"Then we conceded from a set piece just before halftime which gave them (South Korea) a lot of confidence."
New Zealand - who also meet England and North Korea in the group phase - round out their build-up with another friendly against Jaeil High School in Jeju tomorrow.
- NZPA
