Despite his team exiting the FIFA U-20 World Cup, goalkeeper Nik Tzanev said New Zealand were more than a match for Portugal in their Second Round match.
Nik, who turned in a strong individual performance, told the New Zealand FA website he had mixed feelings after Thursday’s heart-breaking late 2-1 loss with extra time looming.
“Frustration is probably the perfect word I can describe because I think we had a really good game,” said the Brentford goalkeeper.
“We matched a top class team. They qualified through Europe and lost to Germany in the final. We shouldn’t be happy about the result but I think we gave it our best shot and I was really happy with the team and how they played.”
Having spent the opening two matches of the tournament on the bench, Nik, 18, got his chance in the final two games and he grabbed it with both hands.
Thursday’s performance included several important saves while he commanded his area well – confidently coming to claim a number of set pieces in a crowded penalty area.
Nik said: “I’m really happy with everything that’s happened. By getting the opportunity I showed what I can do against Myanmar and also again being played today.
“I think I commanded the game pretty well at times and I was quite dominant in the air which I think the crowd really liked.”
Nik said Thursday’s performance – placed on top of the achievement in reaching the knockout stage for the first time – is another indication New Zealand are heading in the right direction.
He said: “It just proves that New Zealand football is developing at a huge rate. We’ve made history in the tournament and it just shows when you believe and you have the crowd – the crowd were wonderful out there today – when you have that behind you it helps a lot and you can do really well.”
The goalkeeper says he will now turn his attention to the upcoming trials for the Olympic qualifiers to be held in Papua New Guinea in July.
He said: “I’m going to do my best to try and get in the squad for that and hopefully go to Papua New Guinea and do my best there as well and prove what I can do.”
Nik was Brentford's Youth Team Player of the Year in 2014/15 and has been offered a professional contract.
He has three New Zealand Under-20 caps.