NZ U-20 make World Cup

Published: 6:35AM Thursday February 01, 2007 Source: Newstalk ZB

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New Zealand will be represented at the FIFA under-20 World Cup for the first time this year.

A 1-0 last-gasp win over New Caledonia in the final game was needed to book a ticket to the tournament in Canada in July.

The winner came from Fulham midfielder Chris James with just five seconds left in stoppage time.

Fiji's 2-0 loss to Tahiti ensured the Kiwis progressed regardless.

But New Zealand coach Stu Jacobs says his team never knew about that result, and it was better to get the win.

Jacobs says they side would have wanted to go through the tournament unbeaten, and they achieved that goal.

They become just the sixth New Zealand representative side to qualify for a FIFA World Cup of any sort.

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