Match Report
New Zealand U20 went into the game 4th in the table on 3 points; Japan U20 sat 1st on 9 — a 6-point gap. New Zealand U20 had been under-performing their position — 16th on five-round form against 4th in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: New Zealand U20 1 scored and 2 conceded per game, Japan U20 2.33 and 0, with the league averaging 1.49.
Recent form was uneven: 3/15 points for New Zealand U20, 10/15 for Japan U20.
The match was played at Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander (capacity 23,000). On the scoreboard, Japan U20 led 1-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 0-3.
Goal scorers
Japan U20: Kosei Ogura (21'), Jayden Smith (64' og), Hisatsugu Ishii (82')
Key stats
Possession: New Zealand U20 55% · Japan U20 45% · Total shots: 8-17 · On target: 2-9 · Corners: 1-9