Under 17’s Create History
It’s a phrase that is over-used in sport: “create history”.
History is created every day, every sport, every game.
Still, the Under 17 Junior Boys not Men or Young Girls New Zealand All White But Wearing All Black team has become the first NZ team ever to reach the second round of a FIFA tournament.
They did so on the back of three draws and – according to FIFA.com – a miracle moment:
Just as it looked like it was all over for the tired Kiwis, Hobson-McVeigh fired a stunning goal to the top corner in stoppage time to, miraculously, send the islanders through.
Bro, we’re not the Islanders but I think I know what you mean.
As it stands, NZ has qualified as one the best third place teams ahead of (at the mo, bro) Brazil and the Dutch.
NZ even got a mention for Goal of the Day.
Check out the match highlights here.
I watched the game and we got lucky at the end with that brilliant strike. Turkey were a much stronger side and were far more talented. Our defence however really stood up and while Turkey dominated posession and moved the ball freely into the box they struggled to convert this to goals. Our keeper also played a blinder.
Great to see a NZ football team performing and punching above their weight. Hopefully this is a good omen for the All Whites game in a couple of weeks.