The New Zealand U-17 players are set for the one of the biggest 90 minutes of their young lives on Sunday but it’s what they do off the pitch that could prove just as crucial to any success they may achieve at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.

The Oceania champions will face Angola in their opening match and coach Jose Figueira has planned meticulously to make sure his side is ready for the threat of the tournament debutants.

But those preparations have not been limited to the technical and tactical aspects of the game with much emphasis also being placed of fostering a strong team culture.

“That side of it is huge,” he says.

“We’ve laid the foundations of themes like connection and brotherhood and that’s something that will stay with them for life. Whether their footballing careers end over the next few years or they go on to play for the All Whites, they will have a special memory of this tour.”

It’s an ethos the team is whole-heartedly buying into, as epitomised by the thoughts of striker Bradley Wilson.

“I think it’s really important and I’m pleased that Jose and the team are really strong on those values,” he says.

“We’re only on the field for 90 minutes but we spend time with each other 24/7 so having that connection off the field is really important in a tournament environment like this. If we can implement that to the best of our abilities then it will really give us an edge and that could be our point of difference.”

Anything Figueira’s charges can do to gain an advantage will be welcomed as they have already been issued with a harsh reminder of how unforgiving the international stage can be.

New Zealand built up for the World Cup with a pair of friendlies in Buenos Aires, being edged out 2-0 by Mexico before a 7-1 humbling at the hands of Argentina. While the result in the latter would have been a blow to confidence levels, Figueira feels exposing his players to that level will prove hugely beneficial.

“To have that kind of test is an invaluable experience. The level of intensity, speed of thought, aggression and passion that Argentina played with is something we don’t get to experience much,” he says.

Soon after taking on Argentina, the New Zealand camp moved across to Brasilia and have spent the past couple of days settling into their new surroundings. They will play all three of their Group A matches at the Estadio Bezerrão, following up the Angola clash with further fixtures against hosts Brazil and Canada.

As this is the first time Angola have qualified for an U-17 World Cup, the encounter brings an unknown element but Figueira has done all the homework he can.

“We know a fair bit about them, it’s their first time at this level but we’re expecting a physical, intense and aggressive team with players of real individual quality. But if we can be organised, confident with the ball and play the way we know the boys can play then I think we can have a really positive start to the tournament.”

While a victory was not able to be achieved in the tournament build-up, New Zealand can take heart from a 2-0 win over an U-18 China national team in Chengdu back in May.

“We have huge potential and we proved earlier in the year in China against older opposition that we can compete with these countries. It will just come down to how hard we work and fight for each other,” Wilson says.

“We’ve watched a bit of footage of Angola but we’re going in with an open mind and that could be a good thing because we’ll play without fear. We can’t wait to get started and we need to make sure we enjoy it because this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” he adds.

“Hearing that FIFA music and walking out onto the field is going to be unreal. We just need to control our nerves, express ourselves and show what we can do.”

Match Details

New Zealand (from): 1. Alex Paulsen (GK), 2. Max Drake, 3. Kris Naicker, 4. Jackson Simpkin, 5. Adam Hillis, 6. Campbell Strong, 7. Keegan Jelacic, 8. Henry Hamilton, 9. Jesse Randall, 10. Marko Stamenic, 11. Matthew Garbett, 12. Luca Taylor (GK), 13. Finn O’Connor, 14. Oskar van Hattum, 15. Bradley Wilson, 16. Sean Bright, 17. Nathan Lobo, 18. Ben Old, 19. Harry Bark, 20. Otto Ingham, 21. Callum Kennett (GK)
Coach: Jose Figueira

New Zealand vs Angola
Saturday 26 October, 8pm (Sunday 27 October, 12pm NZT)
Estadio Bezerrão, Brasilia
Live on Sky Sport

Brazil vs New Zealand
Tuesday 29 October, 8pm (Wednesday 30 October, 12pm NZT)
Estadio Bezerrão, Brasilia
Live on Sky Sport

Canada vs New Zealand
Friday 1 November, 8pm (Saturday 2 November, 12pm NZT)
Estadio Bezerrão, Brasilia
Live on Sky Sport 

Article added: Friday 25 October 2019