Otago made it third time lucky at this year's Milk Cup with a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over local side County Antrim in Portstewart, Northern Ireland, last night.
Having been soundly beaten in its two previous games against tournament favourites Manchester United and Cherry Orchard, the Otago Youth Side put in a much-improved performance to overcome the disappointment of a last-gasp equaliser and convert all its penalties in a 5-3 shoot-out victory.
Otago, playing for the Dunluce Trophy, began with purpose, left wing Fraser Cameron whipping in a couple of dangerous crosses early on.
In midfield Sam Mepham and Konyo Yoon battled to restrict the Irish side to corners and free-kicks.
Otago came closest in a scoreless first half when left back Liam Lockhart's flick header was smartly saved by the Antrim keeper after a pinpoint cross from Curtis Day.
After the break Otago increased the pressure, and opened its account in the 53rd minute through a penalty to Lockhart after Mitchell Greany had been sandwiched by the fullback and keeper.
Otago defended doggedly until the final minute when Cameron was unlucky to see an attempted tackle stay in, and from the subsequent right-wing cross Antrim's left wing headed in at the far post. Otago crucially won the toss for the penalty shoot-out and elected to go first.
Michael Still put his team on its way with a perfectly placed kick first up, then James McPeake put Otago in charge when he dived full length to beat away Antrim's first effort.
The Otago boys managed to ignore plenty of gamesmanship from their Irish opposition to dispatch the remainder of their penalties through Yoon, Mepham, Cameron and finally Lockhart to seal the win.
Assistant coach Matt Scoles was thrilled by the win.
"I was just delighted for the boys, who played with such belief and focus today and I think nobody would deny us our victory today after the way they played."
