Wellington Phoenix duo Luke Brooke-Smith and Xuan Loke fuelled New Zealand’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Egypt at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Brooke-Smith and Loke both scored in the space of three first-half minutes as New Zealand reignited their World Cup campaign in Chile on Wednesday (AEST).
After a heart-breaking stoppage-time defeat to hosts Chile in their Group A opener, New Zealand bounced back at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago, where Brooke-Smith and Loke were joined in the starting XI by Wellington teammates Lukas Kelly-Heald and Fergus Gillion, as well as Auckland FC’s Codey Phoenix and Finn McKenlay.
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Trailing early against Egypt, New Zealand had to rally.
Phoenix sensation Brooke-Smith – the youngest player in Chris Greenacre’s New Zealand squad aged 17 and the youngest All White in 45 years having been called up for September’s Soccer Ashes against the CommBank Socceroos – poked home a cross in the 13th minute.
New Zealand were ahead three minutes later as Wellington and Auckland FC joined forces for the good of the nation.
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Wellington defender Loke got on the end of a cross from Auckland FC youngster Codey Phoenix to give New Zealand a lead they would never relinquish.
New Zealand are eyeing their fifth successive last-16 appearance at the U20 World Cup as they look ahead to a date with Japan on Saturday (AEST).
Featured image: New Zealand Football
