Junior All Whites beat Egypt at FIFA U-20 WC
- Dave Worsley
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
New Zealand got their campaign back on track with a battling comeback victory over Egypt, whose qualifying hopes are now hanging by a thread after consecutive defeats.
The match got off to a lightning start, with Egypt's captain Ahmed Khaled opening the scoring inside just five minutes with a well-taken right-footed effort.
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The Junior All Whites immediately responded with two goals in a three-minute spell, as Luke Brooke-Smith and then Xuan Loke converted from close range.
Egypt put New Zealand under relentless pressure after the break but were unable to find the target thanks to some stoic defending from Chris Greenacre's team.
"It's an amazing feeling. We obviously didn't have the best start to the game, but I think the boys dug in so well and credit to them, I think we created so many chances in that first 20 minutes and I'm grateful to be on the end of that. But we know we need to be better and we'll be stronger for the next game."
Said forward, Luke Brooke-Smith who played his first game for the All Whites recently against Australia.
Previously New Zealand lost 2-1 to hosts Chile in front of over 45,000 fans on a late goal.
New Zealand are currently third in Group A on three points, one behind both Japan and Chile and ahead of Egypt who have no points.