The New Zealand junior men's footballers have finished the four-team Panda Cup International Tournament in China with a 2-1 loss to Croatia.
The Junior All Whites took a sixth-minute lead from an own goal, while Croatia equalised just before half-time and then scored the winner in the 62nd minute.
Coach Darren Bazeley says missed opportunities were costly, something which has been a key learning for the squad in the three games played.
Bazeley says the tour, which included an historic scoreless draw with Brazil, has been invaluable as the squad builds towards next year's FIFA under-20 World Cup on home soil.
