It was almost a perfect day for 10-year-old Elena Dungey-Manzano as she got to see her favourite football team play.
Unfortunately the New Zealand A team couldn't add the icing on the cake for Elena, drawing their match 1-1 against the Phoenix.
Despite the score, getting autographs from the players and having great seats will still make yesterday's game at the Rotorua International Stadium, a hard day to beat.
"It was so worth getting tickets."
Elena and her friend 12-year-old Paloma Gea, were among the 3500 people who attended the match. A keen soccer player, Elena got her tickets as soon as she heard the teams were coming to town. She plays as a defender for Eastlake Eagles and has been playing football since she was six .