Otago United's youth team has a chance of progressing to the Southern final if it can beat Nelson at Tahuna Park tomorrow.
Coach Tony Martin's side sits second in the Southern conference, four points behind Canterbury but with a game in hand, and next week plays the red and blacks in Christchurch.
A win tomorrow could set up an eventual final clash against the North Island winner.
In the north, a New Zealand under-17 side is locked with Auckland City at the top of that group with 16 points each.
''It is nice to be in contention come the business end of the season and two wins in the last two games will guarantee us a spot in the final,'' Martin said.
''The lads have been working hard at training and the training performances of the entire squad have impressed team management. It's another big game against Nelson, and we hope to continue the positive vein of form we have been in.''
Taylor McCormack and Jackson Mitchell have been the key goal-scorers for the side.
Much of the team's success has been down to an impressive defence led by captain Geordie Mansford, Cam Attwood, Peter Overmire and Ross Howard, with keeper Zayn Officer pulling off some outstanding saves.
''The entire squad deserves credit for their tremendous attitude and the work they have been putting in,'' Martin said.
Youth football
Tahuna Park, tomorrow, 1.30pm
Otago: Zayn Officer, Ross Howard, Geordie Mansford, Cam Attwood, Peter Overmire, Will Mcintyre, Jackson Mitchell, Nikita Meglinski, Finn Moore, Andrew Ridden, Taylor McCormack, Anthony Mellon, Matt Kelly, Tyrell Barringer-Tairi, Jesse Smith, Matt Webb.
Nelson Falcons: Coey Turipa, Fletcher Slierendrecht, Sam Maxwell, Mark Johnston, Furkan Kokcu, Tore Waechter, Ashley Langbein, Niall Young, Omar Guardiola, Nat Payn, Taine Swete, Jamane Wilson-Duggan, Hal Fish, Lian Cinzah, Harry Tod-Smith, Taylor Hall-Jones.
