Fifa World Cup: U-20s seeking shock victory

Monty Patterson and the NZ U20s are looking to achieve a second-round win on Thursday night. Photo / Getty Images

The Junior All Whites have already made history - but they believe they can go one step further against Portugal at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Thursday night.

New Zealand's victory over Myanmar last week was their first win at this level, and also sealed qualification for the knockout phase.

It's a unique feat at Under-20 level, but needs to be backed up with a creditable performance against the highly rated European side.

"We've had a few moments to reflect and it's a big achievement," said midfielder Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi. "But I feel like this squad want to do more ... hopefully we can get a result."

Easier said than done. Thursday's match looms as one of the most daunting tasks a New Zealand side has faced. Men's teams from this country have reached the knockout stages only twice before - the Under-17 teams in 2009 and 2011 - and on both occasions they were hammered in the second round.

This time New Zealand will be at home, which is a considerable advantage, but only if coach Darren Bazeley's team can keep the scoreline close for a decent period. Otherwise we might see what unfolded against the US last week, where the Americans took the crowd out of the game with two first-half goals.

This Portugal team looks a special lineup. They've already scored 10 goals, second only to Germany, and emerged out of one of the toughest groups in the tournament virtually unscathed, with three wins and only one goal conceded.

Hudson-Wihongi, who has probably the longest name in New Zealand football, will have one of the simplest tasks on Thursday. Not simple as in easy, but as in uncomplicated.

Captain Bill Tuiloma is likely to be retained in the centre of defence, which means Hudson-Wihongi will be used as the defensive midfielder. He'll need to break up the Portuguese attacks and stop their famed passing game, with almost everything flowing through their central midfield trio.

"I had a solid game [against Myanmar] and hopefully I get the opportunity to play again in this game," said Hudson-Wihongi. "We need to prepare like we do for every game and keep it real."

Hudson-Wihongi, who spent time in the youth academy at MLS team Salt Lake City and trialled at Aberdeen, is revelling in the support seen at this tournament.

"It's been unbelievable. The fan base has been incredible and we have one more game to thank them, to push one more time."

Monty Patterson could be another key performer. On the bench for the first two group matches, the Ipswich FC player added a real zest to the team against Myanmar, with his energy, work rate and clever runs.

He also showed impressive composure to score New Zealand's crucial second goal, calmly finishing off a well-worked team move and should have done enough to earn a starting spot on Thursday night.