Why the All Whites' Kirin Cup final against hosts Japan is 'special'
The New Zealand national football team, the All Whites, is preparing to face Japan in the Kirin Cup final. The team reached the final after a penalty shootout victory against Panama and views the match as a key development opportunity.
Why it matters
International tournaments provide smaller football nations with essential experience against top-tier global competition.
<p>The All Whites have a rare opportunity to challenge for international silverware as they face off against Japan in the Kirin Cup final in Tokyo tonight.</p> <p>The Kiwi side reached the final to take on the tournament hosts after a penalty shootout victory against 47th-ranked Panama in Yokohama last Thursday.</p> <p>Japan also progressed to the final through a penalty shootout, defeating Ecuador 5-4 after being held 0-0 in the 90 minutes.</p> <p><span style="color:#ef5757;"><b>Watch the Kirin Cup final between the All Whites and Japan at 11.30pm NZT live and free on </b></span><a href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/sport/football" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ef5757;"><b>TVNZ+</b></span></a><span style="color:#ef5757;"><b>.</b></span></p> <p>Seventeenth-ranked Japan will prove a tough test for the All Whites.
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