Central United midfielder Stephen Carmichael scored a hat-trick to guide the New Zealand under-17 football team to a 4-1 win over Uzbekistan in their Group D match at the World Cup in Mexico this morning.
The 17-year-old netted twice before the break then added a third eight minutes into the second half to complete a memorable match for the Sacred Heart College pupil at the Estadio Torreon in Torreon.
Jordan Vale capped the result with a left-footed volley from Rhys Jordan's free-kick three minutes from time as the side notched their first win on foreign soil in a FIFA tournament.
They managed it in emphatic style against their central Asian opponents in stifling 37degC heat to top their group and boost their chances of making it to the knockout phase.
The Aaron McFarland-coached side made the perfect start to the match when Carmichael capitalised on a defensive mix-up in the Uzbekistan defence to rifle home a right-footed shot from inside the box in the 10th minute.
He doubled the lead in the 36th minute after latching on to striker Tim Payne's pass and reacting fastest after his first shot was parried by the Uzbekistan goalkeeper to bundle the ball home from close range.
The Uzbekistan side forced New Zealand goalkeeper Scott Basalaj into a number of good saves and they finally got some reward six minutes before the interval when striker Timur Khakimov's low left-footed drive beat Basalaj from an acute angle.
Carmichael looked to have made the game safe for the Young All Whites, playing in their fifth under-17 World Cup, when his side-footed finish sealed his hat-trick and put them 3-1 ahead in the 53rd minute.
Uzbekistan, who fired 24 shots at goal during the match, always looked threatening, but with three minutes left Vale's smart finish put the game beyond doubt.
There was still enough time for Uzbekistan to have a goal ruled out for offside, their second disallowed goal in the match, but the final whistle sparked euphoric scenes for the New Zealand players and management.
The Young All Whites' next game is against the Czech Republic at the same venue on Thursday morning.