ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
The New Zealand Under 17 side yesterday beat Tahiti 2-0 to join Japan, Australia, Uzbekistan, North Korea and hosts Mexico as qualified teams for the 24 nation World Cup finals in June and July.
It is New Zealand's third straight qualification for an under-17 World Cup, and their fifth overall. In the playoff for third place, the Solomon Islands defeated Vanuatu 2-0.
The win was set up with first half goals to Cameron Howieson and Tim Payne and cemented with patient defence in a second half devoid of clear cut chances for either side.
Tahiti tackles contained plenty of sting, especially in the second half, as they tried to unsettle New Zealand and force their way back into the game but the Young All Whites resisted any urges to retaliate, prompting praise from coach Steve Cain.
"We're very pleased because we played a very assured game in the second half," Cain told the New Zealand Herald.
"Young boys can be impulsive at this age so to play with discipline like that for 45 minutes is not easy. They had the wind but we reduced them making silly decisions and knocking the ball long which is what we wanted."
"They tried to upset us. But we didn't get involved in the off-the-ball stuff and we showed lots of composure on the ball."
The New Zealand Under 17 side yesterday beat Tahiti 2-0 to join Japan, Australia, Uzbekistan, North Korea and hosts Mexico as qualified teams for the 24 nation World Cup finals in June and July.
It is New Zealand's third straight qualification for an under-17 World Cup, and their fifth overall....
The New Zealand Under 17 side yesterday beat Tahiti 2-0 to join Japan, Australia, Uzbekistan, North Korea and hosts Mexico as qualified teams for the 24 nation World Cup finals in June and July.
It is New Zealand's third straight qualification for an under-17 World Cup, and their fifth overall. In the playoff for third place, the Solomon Islands defeated Vanuatu 2-0.
The win was set up with first half goals to Cameron Howieson and Tim Payne and cemented with patient defence in a second half devoid of clear cut chances for either side.
Tahiti tackles contained plenty of sting, especially in the second half, as they tried to unsettle New Zealand and force their way back into the game but the Young All Whites resisted any urges to retaliate, prompting praise from coach Steve Cain.
"We're very pleased because we played a very assured game in the second half," Cain told the New Zealand Herald.
"Young boys can be impulsive at this age so to play with discipline like that for 45 minutes is not easy. They had the wind but we reduced them making silly decisions and knocking the ball long which is what we wanted."
"They tried to upset us. But we didn't get involved in the off-the-ball stuff and we showed lots of composure on the ball."
Leave a Comment