New Zealand got their campaign back on track with a battling comeback victory over Egypt, whose qualifying hopes are now hanging by a thread after consecutive defeats.
The match got off to a lightning start, with Egypt’s captain Ahmed Khaled opening the scoring with a well-taken right-footed effort. But the Junior All Whites immediately responded with two goals in a three-minute spell, as Luke Brooke-Smith and Xuan Loke converted from close range.
Egypt put New Zealand under relentless pressure after the break, but were unable to find the target thanks to some stoic defending from Chris Greenacre’s team.
“It’s an amazing feeling. We obviously didn’t have the best start to the game, but I think the boys dug in so well, and credit to them, I think we created so many chances in that first 20 minutes and I’m grateful to be on the end of that. But we know we need to be better, and we’ll be stronger for the next game.” Luke Brooke-Smith, New Zealand forward said
