Aspire Zone HELL for New Zealand U-17s in Qatar Cup Shock
By SCM Sports Writer in Qatar
DOHA, QATAR – The FIFA U-17 World Cup dreams of the young New Zealand squad turned to dust today as they were thumped 4-1 by a rampant Austria side in their final Group L clash.
But while the defeat sends the Kiwi youngsters packing, all eyes were on the Aspire Zone – Pitch 9 where the action unfolded—just one of the many playing fields in the massive Qatari sports complex.
The much-touted single-site tournament, confined to the sprawling Aspire Zone in Doha, has certainly delivered plenty of goals, but for Martin Bullock’s New Zealand side, it delivered a painful exit.
After holding their nerve for a goalless first half, the Junior All Whites finally crumbled four minutes into the second half when Nicolas Jozepovic smashed home Austria’s opener.
A moment of pure Kiwi shock arrived in the 82nd minute when William Britton pounced on a defensive error to level the score. Could a miracle be on the cards at the Aspire Zone?
The Austrian reply was brutal and swift, hitting back with a late, deadly triple whammy. Jakob Werner headed home in the 87th minute, and then substitute Hasan Deshishku delivered the final blows with two goals in two minutes, including one in injury time, to seal the 4-1 thrashing.
Austria now march on, topping Group L, while New Zealand are left to pack their bags after failing to secure the victory they desperately needed on the Qatari training pitch masquerading as a World Cup stadium.
