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Both these teams have been here before.
In the 2015 U-20 World Cup, New Zealand looked a long shot to make it out of the group stage. It might be considered an even longer shot this time around, since it hosted the 2015 tournament and home advantage is always helpful.
Ultimately, New Zealand did make it out of its group, thanks to a thumping 5-1 win over Myanmar that saw it through to the knockout rounds as one of the highest-ranked third-placed teams in the group stage. And then the All Whites gave Portugal a scare in the round of 16, falling to an 87th-minute winner after drawing level mid-way through the second half.
So perhaps New Zealand is due a little more respect. It has continuity in place in its Men's U-20 program: head coach Darren Bazeley saw the 2015 cohort through the last World Cup and is in charge for this one too. The preparation for the 2017 tournament hasn't been quite as thorough as it was for the competition New Zealand hosted, but there are players in the current squad who have already made their full national team debuts, and an effort to get the U-20s to mirror the tactics of their seniors.
There is the feeling that New Zealand missed its chance by failing to beat Vietnam in its opening game. No one expects France to drop points in Group E, and Honduras is thought to be a little better than Vietnam. But expectations and predictions don't make results. And the All Whites will take encouragement from Honduras' recent history in this tournament.
Los Catrachos did not have a great time at the 2015 U-20 World Cup. Much like this time around, the team found itself in a group with a clear favorite and a somewhat open field for second place: Germany was expected to dominate the group; Uzbekistan, Fiji and Honduras would battle for the runner-up spot. When it beat Uzbekistan in its opening game, Honduras became the obvious choice for the second automatic place in the knockout rounds.
But then Fiji trounced Los Catrachos, 3-0. A 5-1 loss to Germany put an end to any hope of a lucky-loser place in the next round: Honduras went home after the group stage.
So the pressure is on this cohort to live up to expectations of a knockout-round place. It has already played France - the dominant force in Group E. A 3-0 loss might prove creditable once the other teams in the group have had their turn against the tournament favorite.
Now Honduras must do what it came to Korea to do: erase the memory of 2015's lackluster showing on the world stage, and advance to the knockout rounds.
Per livesoccertv.com, here's where to find the game:
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