The All Whites have a rare opportunity to challenge for international silverware as they face off against Japan in the Kirin Cup final in Tokyo tonight.
The Kiwi side reached the final to take on the tournament hosts after a penalty shootout victory against 47th-ranked Panama in Yokohama last Thursday.
Japan also progressed to the final through a penalty shootout, defeating Ecuador 5-4 after being held 0-0 in the 90 minutes.
Watch the Kirin Cup final between the All Whites and Japan at 11.30pm NZT live and free on TVNZ+.
Seventeenth-ranked Japan will prove a tough test for the All Whites. However, head coach Darren Bazeley is once again embracing the opportunity to face higher-ranked opposition.
'We'll learn – we'll get better'
“For us, it's exciting because we are developing as a team, and for us to keep facing top 20-ranked teams in the world is good for us. It means we'll learn, we'll get better,” said Bazeley.
“Our players, through the experience, will get better at playing against these types of players.”
The All Whites have limited experience against Japan and fell short in both of their previous international friendlies.
In their most recent meeting in 2017, Japan came out on top 2-1 despite a goal from All Whites captain Chris Wood.
Wood was also on target for the All Whites in 2014 against the Samurai Blue, scoring two goals in their 4-2 defeat in Tokyo.
“It's always special to play a host country. So Japan, in Japan, is even more special,” Bazeley told the Japanese media.
“When we beat Panama, we were obviously very pleased because they're a very good team, and I was hoping that Japan would win because I think it's special to play Japan here in front of the big crowd.”
The final will be played at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, with a capacity of just under 68,000.
Japan had an admirable World Cup campaign, reaching the Round of 32 after finishing second in their group. They exited the tournament after an agonising 2-1 defeat against Brazil, only after conceding a 95th-minute goal scored by Al Hilal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
'Opportunities' for younger, debut starters
Bazeley was asked about the makeup of his squad during this international window, with many players who featured at the World Cup missing from the tour.
“What we've done on this tour is bring some key players who played at the World Cup, but also some younger players to help that process of developing players for the next cycle.
The All Whites are yet to lose a match during their tour, with a 2-2 draw against Palestine followed up by wins against China and Panama.
“Some younger players and some players that went to the World Cup but didn't play. This is the opportunity that we've given them to push themselves forward.”
All Whites goalkeeper Alex Paulsen missed out on playing at the World Cup as he was kept out by Max Crocombe. The 24-year-old shot-stopper has done an admirable job on this tour for the All Whites, keeping a clean sheet against China and saving a decisive penalty against Panama to send the Kiwi side through to tonight's final.
Another player who seems to have made the most of this tour is striker Ben Waine, who has recorded two goals and an assist across their previous three matches.
“Everybody’s done a really good job, and that's good depth for New Zealand; we're able to come and bring half of our World Cup squad and still be very competitive.”
The Kirin Cup final between the All Whites and Japan kicks off at 11.30pm NZT and is live and free on TVNZ+.
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