Football: Junior All Whites fall in tour opener

The Junior All Whites suffered a 4-0 a defeat at the hands of host nation Qatar in the opening game of a four-nation tournament in Doha. Photo / Sarah Ivey.

The Junior All Whites suffered a 4-0 a defeat at the hands of host nation Qatar in the opening game of a four-nation tournament in Doha on Wednesday.

Playing a day after arriving in camp at the Aspire Academy, the New Zealand U-20 side were 1-0 down at halftime and the hosts struck three times in the second half to provide the final margin.

Speaking soon after the game, Junior All Whites coach Darren Bazeley said the first-up match was a tough experience with two players sick during the first half while Brock Messenger suffered a head cut and then a tackle which saw the defender finish the day on crutches.

"It was a really tough day but the boys put in an amazingly tough shift of hard work," Bazeley said.

"We came up against a host nation that were quite buzzy, good in possession and very sharp. We were just probably off our game and not quite our usual selves but we were unlucky a couple of times not to get on the score sheet."

"We're definitely better in possession than we showed tonight. We did look like a few boys had just got off the plane a little bit and I think the players know that. We weren't as assured and as secure as what we can be."

With the first game now out of the way and recovery ice baths, swimming and stretching on the agenda for the next two days, Bazeley is reflecting on the positives to come from Wednesday's loss.

"I'm a firm believer that all experiences are good experiences. There's stuff we can take from today that can only make us and the individuals better.

"No matter how hard it was today and the disappointment of the result, it's still something we can use with that long term goal of the World Cup in mind when things are more in our favour."

The Junior All Whites were without Joel Stevens with the talented striker called into the All Whites squad on Tuesday as cover for the injured Ryan Thomas, something Bazeley is a big fan of.

"I think it's great for Joel that he gets to step up to the All Whites and it shows the alignment has started between the All Whites and Anthony [Hudson] and the age-group teams.

"As we move forwards, players will be able to step into that environment and it won't be so new to them which is great for everyone involved; especially the individuals."

The next match for the Junior All Whites is on Friday against Chile at 5am (NZ time).

Qatar 4-0 New Zealand (half: 1-0)

New Zealand: Oliver Sail (GK), Brock Messenger (46' Birhanu Taye), Adam Mitchell, Jesse Edge (Spiros Agathos 48'), Deklan Wynne, Michael Den Heijer (Gowan Stares 60'), Matthew Ridenton, Andre De Jong, Alex Rufer (Andrew Blake 46'), Clayton Lewis, Tomislav Trbuhovic (Elijah Neblett 60')
Substitute not used: Zac Speedy (GK)