New Zealand head coach Chris Greenacre believes his side still needs to improve for Monday’s crucial semi-final against Fiji at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship.
Despite winning all three group games at the Samoa tournament, Greenacre’s side have been putting possession at risk when they didn’t need.
“I think we need to improve that significantly if we want to progress in this tournament,” Greenacre told OFC Media.
The winner of Monday’s semi-final will automatically qualify for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, along with the winner of the other semi-final between Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.
“Our mantra all the way through the tournament has been to be clinical up front and making sure that we’re rock solid at the back, and up to now that’s happening,” Greenacre said.
“It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of concentration, especially in the humidity and the heat.”
Greenacre paid tribute to his backroom staff for helping player recovery between games.
“With games coming thick and fast, you know, recovery is as much as important as the work we do on the training ground.
“There’s a lot of work that goes on … analysis oin and off the field … so we kind of cover all bases but recovery is a a huge part of what we’re doing.”
READ MORE: New Zealand on verge of qualifying for 2025 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup >>>>
Watch Chris Greenacre interview
Fixtures
Games to be played on Monday July 15, 2024
Semi-finals
Solomon Islands v New Caledonia
FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa, 10am (NZT)
New Zealand v Fiji
FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Thursday July 18, 2024
Final
Winner semi-final 1 v winner semi-final 2
FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa, 2pm (NZT)
This story was first published on July 14, 2024.
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