Substitute Alex Risdale scored a 91st minute winner to give the New Zealand under-17 soccer team a 1-0 win over their Club Brugge counterparts in Doha, Qatar.
Coach Steve Cain said he was delighted with the performance against one of Belgium's top age group sides.
"It was a very good
game for us with a high tempo. Club Brugge's rotation in midfield was excellent and their circulation of the ball top quality but we kept our shape and caught them on the counter with pace and control," Cain said of last night's match.
Club Brugge dominated the first half hour but the Young All Whites created several goal scoring opportunities of their own later after weathering the early pressure.
"Harshae Raniga, Luke Adams and Reece Lambert were outstanding at the back for us," Cain said.
The Young All Whites snatched victory when they counter attacked from a Brugge corner and Ridsdale rounded the goalkeeper to score the winner.
The team will play three more matches to play in Doha, all against the a Qatar sports academy team.
New Zealand 1 (Alex Ridsdale) Club Brugge 0. Halftime: 0-0.
- NZPA
