New Zealand kicked off their FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 campaign with a 1-0 win against Guatemala this morning in Argentina to claim all three points in their first Group A game.

Substitute Norman Garbett’s strike in the 80th minute proved to be the match winner against an organised Guatemala side at Santiago del Estero Stadium. Garbett, younger brother of All White Matt Garbett, latched on to a long pass from Fin Conchie and chipped the ball over the onrushing Guatemalan keeper to score the only goal of the game with 10 minutes of normal time to play. 

The game was a tight contest with New Zealand starting strongly but the Central American side growing into the game. Darren Bazeley’s side defended well throughout with the back three of Isaac Hughes, Lukas Kelly-Heald and captain Finn Surman (all Wellington Phoenix players), as well as goalkeeper Kees Sims, restricting the Guatemalan attack to just three shots on goal from inside the box. 

New Zealand had the better of the possession (44% to Guatemala’s 34%), making 476 passes to their opponent's 355. After a number of half chances in the first 45 the deadlock was finally broken late in the second half. 

Next up the team face AFC qualifiers Uzbekistan on Wednesday at 6am (NZT) before the final group game against hosts Argentina on Saturday at 9am (NZT). 

New Zealand Starting XI:

1. Kees Sims
2. Jackson Jarvie
3. Adam Supyk (67’ Ben Wallace) 
4. Isaac Hughes
5. Finn Surman
6. Fin Conchie
7. Noah Karunaratne (67’ Norman Garbett)
8. Jackson Manuel (86’ Dan McKay)
9. Oliver Colloty (86’ Kian Donkers)
10. Jay Herdman (89’ Aaryan Raj)
20. Lukas Kelly-Heald

Final Score:

New Zealand – 1 (80’ Norman Garbett)
Guatemala – 0 
 

Article added: Sunday 21 May 2023