New Zealand’s Junior All Whites lost 3–2 to Saudi Arabia at the Aspire Zone in Doha, leaving them with two defeats from two Group L matches in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The team had a tough start, conceding a goal in the first two minutes, and Saudi Arabia was leading 1–0 at half-time.
New Zealand fought back, with Matias Nunez scoring their first goal of the tournament, ten minutes into the second half to level the score at 1–all.
However, Saudi Arabia quickly regained the lead through Sabri Dahal.
The Junior All Whites continued to battle, and substitute Jack Perniskie equalised in the 83rd minute to make it 2–all.
Unfortunately, Thari Saeed scored in stoppage time to seal the win for Saudi Arabia.
New Zealand must now win their final group match against Austria on Wednesday to have a chance of progressing in the tournament.
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