After arriving in Turkey 24 hours earlier, the New Zealand U-20 squad lined up against their second Asian opposition in quick succession following a whistle stop tour of Australia. Iraq – ranked number two in their confederation – are also in the final stages of their preparation for the international tournament which kicks off in a week.
The Junior All Whites started strong with Team Wellington striker Hamish Watson giving New Zealand an early lead after just three minutes before Iraq hit back half an hour later to level the score. The Asian side took the lead in first half injury time before skipper Luke Adams replied for New Zealand to send the teams locked at two-a-piece going into the break.
The second period started with some unwanted off-field distractions for the New Zealand side when their Group F rivals Uruguay dropped into the Mardan Sports Complex for their scheduled training session and took in some of the match from the stands before being asked to leave the stadium.
Back on the pitch Iraq scored two goals in three minutes to take a 4-2 lead before the Junior All Whites hit back on the 68th minute with Louis Fenton converting from the penalty spot. Two minutes later Iraq restored their two goal advantage and the game finished 5-3 to Iraq.
Goalkeeper Max Crocombe, combative midfielder Rhys Jordan and All Whites utility Tim Payne joined the squad from England on the day of the match, all featuring in the loss, but the bigger picture is that Milicich can now prepare for the FIFA U-20 World Cup with his full squad.
New Zealand’s final warm-up game is against Egypt on Monday at 3pm local time in Antalya before moving to their team base in Bursa.
The Junior All Whites first match in the FIFA U-20 World Cup is against Uzbekistan on June 23, before facing Uruguay three days later, and rounding out their group stage against Croatia on June 29.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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