New Zealand’s quest to play in the Olympic Games got off to a good start in the early hours of the morning but Nik Tzanev was not involved.

After making his mark in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, the Brentford goalkeeper was called in to New Zealand’s Under-23 squad for the Pacific Games tournament.

The competition doubles as qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro and start next August.

New Zealand kicked it off with a win over Solomon Islands this morning, Friday 3 July, but Nik was an unused substitute.

The 18-year-old is one of three goalkeepers in the Under-23 squad and has three Under-20 caps.

New Zealand also have to play Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia in the group phase early next month before the top two teams in each group move on the semi-finals.

The winner of the tournament overall will qualify for the Olympic Games.