The All Whites coach Ricki Herbert says his new-look side was unlucky not to come away with a win against China in their friendly in Shanghai.
The match finished in a 1-1 draw with the home side scoring on the half hour, while striker Chris Wood grabbed the equaliser just before the break, heading home a Marco Rojas free kick.
Without a number of their senior players, Herbert says it was a huge challenge for the young boys who stepped out.
He feels with the chances they had they probably should have won it.
That's the last match of the year for the All Whites with their next outing the World Cup qualifiers in March with the home fixture against New Caledonia offering the possibility of wrapping up Oceania's place in the intercontinental playoff.
