The New Zealand U‑17 women's soccer team has shocked the footballing world by defeating Japan on penalties to make the World Cup semi‑finals

Having earlier become the first team from New Zealand to make the quarter‑finals of a World Cup and breaking several other records in the process, coach Leon Birnie and his charges were very much already in unchartered territory as they took to the field in Uruguay this morning.

New Zealand went into the match as underdogs against a Japan side with a proud record in this tournament and who were yet to be defeated on their march to the quarter‑finals.

New Zealand will now take on Spain in the semi‑finals of the FIFA U‑17 Women's World Cup on Thursday morning from 8am.

[Source: RNZ]