Eastern Suburb’s Adam Supyk, Jackson Jarvie and Aaryan Raj are two games down at the Fifa World Cup in Argentina.
New Zealand beat Guatemala 1-0, before a 2-2 result against Uzbekistan.
They are set to face the hosts in their final group-stage match and will seek a win to secure a spot in the knock-out stage.
The three Men’s Premier players spoke to Eastern Suburbs on how they are finding the tournament.
“I am loving the experience, it is definitely tough work but feels worthwhile when we get great results,” said Jarvie.
Supyk said, “This experience is amazing. Being in a football-mad country to play is fantastic. The people we have met so far are great.
“I think we have a great group of lads who work together as a collective really well. I think because of this we will be hoping to do well, and try and make it out of the group. Our end goal is to be the best NZ U20 team to be in a World Cup”
Raj commented how his time with Eastern Suburbs since the age of 12 has contributed to him being able to play at this level.
“Ever since then, every coach I’ve been with has had immense belief in me.
“When I first started training with the first team at 15, I realised that this is what I wanted to do,” Raj said.
“Without Hoani’s trust in me at a young age, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity at all, for which I am super grateful. And of course, my current head coach Kane has played a large role in assisting me to where I am now and the opportunity I’ve been blessed with.”
Jarvie explained how a typical day in camp looks: “The day starts off with daily measures/tests for things such as our hydration scores, groin squeezes and calf flexibility.
“Then we head down for some breakfast and mobility before heading off to training. After that, we have a pool recovery session, dinner and then our own time in the evening to chill.”
You can catch New Zealand vs Argentina, at 9 am on Saturday.
