The New Zealand under-20 football team say they're in a positive frame of mind ahead of Friday night's must-win World Cup match against Myanmar.
After a 0-0 draw with Ukraine was followed by a 4-0 humbling at the hands of the United States, the Junior All Whites have plenty of work to do if they're to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.
"We're feeling good, we've looked at the last game, analysed it and we've moved on. Now everything's about this next game," coach Darren Bazeley said.
"If we can do what we've set out to do at this tournament and win games, hopefully that'll be enough for us to get through to the next stage."
If they are to qualify it'll likely be as one of the four top-ranked third place teams, and given how little separates the teams' goal difference could well decide who advances.
The Junior All Whites hold a -4 differential, so they'll need to not only beat Myanmar but ideally score plenty of goals as well.
"We set out every game to try and win the game, and play like we're drawing so if we're winning the game we'll keep playing and keep trying to score more but ultimately we need to win the game," Bazeley said.
Myanmar are hardly a footballing powerhouse but captain Bill Tuiloma says there's no danger of complacency.
"All these countries are good teams, and Myanmar will be a good team as well," Tuiloma said.
"They'll be small and quick, I believe they've got heart and they'll keep fighting until the end, but they've had two losses so far and hopefully we can keep that going and give them their third loss."
If they can, it could mean they become the first New Zealand team to make it out of the group stages of the Under-20 World Cup.
Watch the full interviews with coach Darren Bazely and captain Bill Tuiloma
3 News
source: newshub archive
