After arriving in Poland late last night to begin preparations for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup later this month, Assistant Coach Hiroshi Miyazawa is relishing the opportunity ahead of him as New Zealand gear up to take on Honduras, Uruguay and Norway in Group C.

Miyazawa, who lead AFF club Onehunga Sports to two years of back-to-back success in the LOTTO NRFL Men's Premier Division, as well as picking up an ISPS Handa Chatham Cup medal in 2017 is relishing the opportunity to coach on the international stage.

“I personally have never been involved in any of the FIFA events before as a player and coach, so I am looking very forward to it” Miyazawa said.

“I have been working as coach in New Zealand for almost twenty years and as a Japanese person I feel honoured to represent New Zealand at one of the highest levels of football in the world, which is what I have always wanted to do.”

“I will do my best to help the team be successful and hope we can make the country proud.”

Max Mata, Leon Van Den Hoven and Sarpreet Singh have all managed to progress and earn professional contracts in the football world, but the tie they have to Miyazawa is a strong one.

All three NZ U20 Squad members came through the Youth System of Onehunga Sports, with Miyazawa playing a crucial part in their development.

“It’s a great feeling that I get the opportunity to work again with Sarpreet Singh, Max Mata and Leon van den Hoven who all played at Onehunga Sports as 8-9 Year Olds” Miyazawa said.

“I was heavily involved in the Youth system at the time and now they’re all playing at Professional Clubs with Leon in Holland, Max in Switzerland and Sarpreet at the Phoenix.”

“It’s fantastic that we’re together again and competing at a FIFA event on the World Stage.”

New Zealand will play two friendly games against Mexico U20s and Korea Republic U20s before taking on Honduras, Uruguay and Norway in Group C.

Article added: Wednesday 08 May 2019