The Junior All Whites took their first step in preparation for next year's under-20 football World Cup in New Zealand with a resounding 5-0 win over Fiji in Auckland.
Australia-based striker Tomislav Trbuhovic led the way with a goal in each half while Clayton Lewis, Monty Patterson and substitute Andrew Blake chimed in with a goal each in a promising first outing.
With New Zealand qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup as hosts, Fiji start as favourites to claim Oceania's place in the 24-nation tournament via the OFC U-20 Championships in later this month.
The two sides meet again tomorrow night at North Harbour Stadium before the Junior All Whites take on Papua New Guinea in Onehunga on Thursday afternoon.