6 Jun 2015

Junior All Whites score first win of World Cup

10:00 am on 6 June 2015

New Zealand have scored their first-ever win of the under-20 football World Cup, beating Myanmar 5-1 in Wellington.

The win keeps alive their chances of getting past pool play in the 24 nation competition and into the round of 16.

After an encouraging scoreless draw in their opening match against Ukraine, New Zealand slumped to a 4-0 loss to the United States and needed to beat Myanmar to keep alive their chances of progressing.

The Junior All Whites enjoyed most of the possession and territory early on in but as Myanmar warmed up in the chilly Wellington evening, it was just nine degrees at kick off, the visitors were initially the more creative of the two sides.

Myanmar scored first and nearly went 2-0 up when a scorching 30 metre shot the crossbar only to bounce out.

Junior All White Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi wins a header in the win over Myanmar.

Junior All White Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi wins a header in the win over Myanmar. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand used the lofted long ball to attack but it was some slick passing along the ground that led to 17-year-old Noah Billingsley scoring the equaliser and make it 1-1 at half-time.

New Zealand then took the lead early in the second half when an Alex Rufer back heel found Monty Patterson who scored.

They then went 3-1 up 10 minutes from full time through Joel Stevens.

The Junior All Whites celebrate Joel Stevens goal in their 5-1 win over Myanmar.

The Junior All Whites celebrate Joel Stevens' goal in their 5-1 win over Myanmar Photo: Photosport

Two more goals came quick succession when Sam Brotherton nailed a header from a corner to make it 4-1 while Clayton Lewis then made it on the scoresheet with number five.

New Zealand must now wait on a series of other matches over the weekend before they know whether they are through to the last 16.