U-20 FIFA World Cup: Good but points go begging

Specialist Multimedia Sports Journalist·Herald on Sunday·

30 May, 2015 05:00 PM3 mins to read

It's the first time New Zealand have avoided defeat against a European team at this level, Photo / Getty Images

What might have been. This was an almost perfect start to the Under-20 World Cup but the 'almost' might yet come back to haunt New Zealand at this tournament.

On the surface, the 0-0 result is a good one but, given what transpired in the second half, perhaps not good enough.

Sure, it's the first time New Zealand have avoided defeat against a European team at this level, after three previous losses, and some gritty defence kept Ukraine at bay for long periods. And yes, the home side have a base to build on, thanks to their first clean sheet at an Under-20 World Cup.

But they missed several gilt-edged opportunities, at least two of which should have been taken. Sam Brotherton's attempt was probably the most telling and the biggest head-in-hands moment as the defender headed the ball agonisingly wide of an empty goal in the 91st minute.

"I think it might haunt me for the rest of my life," said a downcast Brotherton. "The ball came into the box, popped out and I was a bit unsure of my surroundings. I got my head on it and, unfortunately, it didn't go in the right direction. The keeper made himself quite big. I've tried to go across the keeper but it was just a bit too far across."

But Brotherton, who had a solid game, wasn't the only culprit. Replacement striker Noah Billingsley, otherwise impressive in a 35-minute cameo, scuffed a pinpoint cross straight at the keeper from six yards, Matt Ridenton miscued a free header in the first half and midfielder Clayton Lewis had the chance to set the game alight in the 47th minute but blazed over from 5m.

"It all happened pretty quickly," said Lewis. "I decided to have a go but, unfortunately, the ball got caught under my feet, the defender got a lean on me and I put it over the bar."

The draw was probably a fair result yesterday, but that won't be any consolation for the home side. It's not that New Zealand deserved to win " Ukraine were profligate with a mountain of chances " but Darren Bazeley's men could be sitting equal top of group A with three points.

"It was an opportunity missed to take a win," admitted Bazeley. "We just needed a little bit more quality at the right moments."

New Zealand were scratchy in the first half and offered little going forward, apart from the impressive Joel Stevens on the right wing. Ukraine were much more composed - they were able to escape New Zealand's pressing game with ease - and regularly drifted into dangerous positions. Alex Rufer struggled up front - not helped by poor service - and the home side were unable to retain possession in the first spell.

The Junior All Whites settled in the second half ("I told them at halftime we needed to move the ball quicker, back ourselves," said captain Bill Tuiloma) and started to come into the match. The capacity 25,000 crowd lifted, too, urging the home side on ahead of the grandstand finish.

The effort, endeavour and spirit couldn't be questioned, especially given the scale of the occasion. New Zealand will be better for the run, and there's still hope for some glory against the US on Tuesday.