Soccer: Rojas shows class as juniors put in solid effort

Zane Sole of New Zealand secures posession ahead of Dennis Ifunaoa of Solomon Islands. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand under-20s are full of professional players but only one stood out yesterday - Marco Rojas.

The diminutive attacking midfielder has had a brilliant six months since becoming a Wellington Phoenix regular in December and has already made his All Whites debut.

Yesterday he was the dominant figure in the Junior All Whites win over the Solomon Islands.

He jinked past defenders, made the ball dance, set up two goals and scored a third as New Zealand made a winning start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

What made it even more impressive was that he did it on a surface bumpier than a teenager's face. With five more games due to be played on Mangere's Centre Park pitch before Friday's final, it's not going to get any better.

"It will be very tough," Rojas predicted. "Just dribbling the ball, it still bounces around, but we are going to have to deal with that and somehow figure out how to play some football."

It might have had an influence on the way New Zealand played yesterday. They didn't take any risks at the back, preferring to lump it long rather than play it out from the back, which made it difficult for them to find any fluidity.

The Solomon Islands gave them a few nervy moments in the first half but, once Dakota Lucas scored in the 51st minute from a Rojas pass, New Zealand dominated.

Rojas added a penalty on the hour, after Andrew Milne had made the most of a tackle inside the box, and lively substitute Andy Bevin grabbed the third in the 68th minute after being put through one-on-one by Rojas.

They should have scored a few more but, given New Zealand's struggles in this age group, the win was the most important thing; virtually guaranteeing passage to the semifinals.

"I'm very happy," coach Chris Milicich said. "There were obviously a few nerves from the boys starting the first game but, 3-0, we'll take that.

"New Zealand don't traditionally qualify at this tournament so the result is the most important thing."

The game was also notable for the appearance of left-back Luke Rowe, the English-born Birmingham reserve player who has committed his future to New Zealand and is part of the All Whites' 30-man squad.

Rowe was tidy without really standing out and will want to do more to impress national coach Ricki Herbert who was watching in the stands.

The Junior All Whites play New Caledonia tomorrow in their final pool game before Wednesday's semifinals.

* KOSTA BARBAROUSES has been trialling with Italian Serie B side Torino and English League One leaders Brighton, where fellow All White Chris Wood has been playing.

The striker travelled to Italy and England after the All Whites' 1-1 draw with China a month ago and spent a week with each club. He has also attracted interest from clubs in Holland, Germany and Belgium after a breakthrough season.

He needed to return home to begin pre-season training with defending A-League champions Brisbane Roar.