Junior All Whites fans brave the rain

The Crawshaw Cruizers back the Junior All Whites. Photo: Emmeline Sunnex

More than 10,000 fans braved the Hamilton rain on Thursday night to support the Junior All Whites against Portugal in the U20 Fifa World Cup competition.

Despite the 2-1 loss, with Portugal scoring the winner in the last four minutes of the game, the Junior All Whites fans were loud and proud.

Crawshaw Cruizers from Crawshaw Schools football team were among those who came out to support New Zealand. Stacey Neilsen, the teacher in charge, said she wanted to give her team’s players “a chance to see what they can do in the future”.

Sport Waikato Community Sport Advisor Gilly Alexander & family get rain proofed up to watch the game. From left to right: Gilly with children Cameron and Kyra and husband Ross. Photo: Emmeline Sunnex — Sport Waikato Community Sport Advisor Gilly Alexander and family get rain proofed up to watch the game. From left: Gilly with children Cameron and Kyra and husband Ross. Photo: Emmeline Sunnex

The crowd far exceeded those of earlier matches, which had not reached more than 5000 in attendance.

Gilly Alexander, from Sport Waikato, said: “I think it’s important that when we get games like this to Hamilton that we all come along to support it or otherwise we might miss out on them. These are our up and coming soccer players for New Zealand so it’s really important that we support them.”

Family date night out in support of the Junior All Whites. Married couples from left to right: Natalie and Adam Walmsley, Fiona and Michael Walmsley, Richard and Holly Odgers. Photo: Emmeline Sunnex

Adam Walmsley came on a date night with his wife, his parents and his sister and her husband for a once in a lifetime opportunity. He said he came to watch the game “because it’s New Zealand and I want them to win and I don’t know if I’ll ever get to a World Cup [Football] game in my life.”

An impromptu haka from some fans helped to contribute the spirit of the game, as the Junior All Whites showed they can perform on an international level.

Ben Hall, from Auckland, summed up the support: “It’s good to show

The hall family come out to support with New Zealand flags. From left to right: Tom, Ben and Arnie Hall — The Hall family from Auckland, from left: Tom, Ben and Arnie Hall. Photo: Emmeline Sunnex

the team spirit and cheer New Zealand on.”

As the fans filed out of the stadium, there were still plenty of smiles despite the loss. They had seen a world class football game played by their team, the Junior All Whites.