New Zealand’s U-17 men’s side have lost their opening match at the International Youth Soccer Tournament in Japan, beaten 3-2 by the Niigata regional rep side.
Playing at the Niigata City Athletic Stadium, New Zealand took the lead in the 5th minute when a shot by Matias Nunez was fumbled by the home side’s goalkeeper, and the ball trickled over the goal line.
Main photo: Matias Nunez (10) opened the scoring for New Zealand.
Niigata levelled in the 11th minute and stretched their advantage to 3-1 by half-time.
New Zealand had the better of the second half and reduced the deficit to 3-2 when Cailean Hamilton rifled in a well-taken shot with five minutes to go.
The three-match tournament is helping New Zealand prepare for November’s FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
Their next game at the Niigata tournament is against Myanmar on Saturday.
READ MORE: New Zealand U-17 men’s team visit Japan for World Cup preparation >>>>
Watch the match against Niigata
New Zealand squad
Tomas Blackhall — Melville United / Hamilton Boys’ High School, New Zealand
Luke Carter — Western Springs / Avondale College, New Zealand
Zach Ashmore — Wellington Phoenix / Scots College, New Zealand
Grayson Cattle — Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Jack Clegg — Wellington Phoenix / New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa, New Zealand
Willem des Tombe — Wellington Phoenix / St Patrick’s College, New Zealand
Gethyn Foster — Wellington Phoenix / New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa, New Zealand
Cailean Hamilton — Wellington Phoenix / New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa, New Zealand
Sean Kane — Auckland FC / St Kentigern, New Zealand
Lachlan MacIntyre — Brentford FC / Elthorne Park High School, England
William Martin — Queensland Lions / Ipswich Grammar School, Australia
Joseph McIntyre — Wellington Phoenix / New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa, New Zealand
Matias Nunez — Auckland United / Rutherford College, New Zealand
Cruz Pietersen — Wellington Phoenix / New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa, New Zealand
Keigo Shimokawa — Melbourne Victory / Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, Australia
Zac Thomas — Bohemian FC / Castleknock Community College, Ireland
Ben Trenberth — Wellington Phoenix / New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa, New Zealand
Sena Vesty — Christchurch United / Burnside High School, New Zealand
Result
Game played on Thursday September 17, 2026
New Zealand 2 (Matias Nunez 5′, Cailean Hamilton 85′)
Niigata 3 (scorers to come)
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday September 19, 2026
New Zealand v Myanmar
Niigata City Athletic Stadium, 6pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Monday September 21, 2026
New Zealand v Japan
Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata, 6pm (NZT)
This story was first published on September 17, 2026.