Max Crocombe’s U20 World Cup began in frustrating fashion as New Zealand were beaten 3-0 by Uzbekistan in Bursa.

The 19-year-old was given the goalkeeper’s jersey in Chris Milicich’s side after impressing during qualification and warm-up fixtures, but the tournament began in disastrous fashion as Crocombe scuffed a clearance straight to an Uzbekistan attacker after 14 minutes. The young stopper recovered to parry the initial shot, but could not prevent Abbosbek Makhstaliev from tapping home the rebound to open the scoring.

The Kiwis were second best throughout against an exciting Uzbekistan side and needed two superb stops from the Oxford United man to prevent the lead from being increased before the half-time whistle. Crocombe launched himself at full-stretch to prevent Diyorjon Turapov from slotting home as he attempted to round the goalkeeper, before turning another effort round the post moments later.

New Zealand’s task became twice as difficult early in the second half as Makhstaliev slipped Igor Sergeev through on goal and the striker gave Crocombe no chance as he smashed his effort into the net off the inside of the post.

Crocombe was again called into action after the hour when another poor clearance provided Uzbekistan with a chance to add a third, but the 6-foot 4 inch goalkeeper spread himself well to block at close range.

The game was taken beyond New Zealand moments later, however, as Turapov’s effort from outside the box took a cruel deflection to loop over Crocombe.

New Zealand rarely looked like scoring and wasted their best opportunity late on when Tyler Boyd over-hit a pass which would have given Tim Payne a tap-in at the back post.

Crocombe had to be alert to deny Makhstaliev a second in the final seconds, before the referee blew to bring a disappointing first fixture for New Zealand to an end.

The young Kiwis will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on Uruguay in Bursa.

You can see FIFA’s highlights of the match here.