The New Zealand men's Olympic football team have won their first match at a Games.
Chris Wood celebrates with his teammates after scoring the OlyWhites' goal in their 1-0 win over South Korea. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021
The Oly Whites have upset South Korea 1-0 in Kashima in their opening game of the Tokyo Olympics.
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Burnley striker Chris Wood, one of the New Zealand under-24 team's two over-age players, scored the only goal of the game, breaking the deadlock in the 70th minute.
His strike was initially ruled out for offside before being overturned by the Video Assistant Referee.
The Oly Whites only had a point to show from their last two Olympic appearances in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, having drawn with China and Egypt respectively.
They now have three points and are a great chance of advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time.
"It's obviously a historic win. It's a big moment for the game in New Zealand," said Head Coach Danny Hay after the game.
"I think we have been starting to show over recent times that we are capable of competing on the international stage at FIFA tournaments.
"But obviously getting a result like this over the number one ranked side in Asia, at a pinnacle event like the Olympic Games, is massive for us."
Hay's side will face Honduras in their next group B match in Kashima on Sunday before rounding out pool play against Romania in Sapporo on Wednesday.