A stunning 0-0 draw with Scottish powerhouses Rangers was followed by a 1-0 win over County Tyrone in the Super Cup — formerly known as the Milk Cup — in Coleraine this week.
The team, appearing under the auspices of the Football Otago Youth Development Trust, includes promising lads from Otago, Southland, North Otago and South Canterbury.
It is only the second time the southern side have earned as many as four points in pool play in all the years they have been attending the tournament.
Otago could hardly have asked for a better start to their game against Country Tyrone.
Fergus Barrons won a strong header in defence, Lochie Ing-aram played a firm through ball forward, and Zach Tull ran on at speed, glided past a stranded goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net.
With Sam Drake combining nicely with Barrons, Cormac De La Harpe and Finlay Williamson leading from midfield and Marshall Solomon pressing high, Otago created some other opportunities, but it remained 1-0 at halftime.
Goalkeeper Will Laws was also in good touch for Otago, who held firm in the second half before celebrating their victory.
Twenty-four hours earlier, it was very much a case of David v Goliath as the young New Zealanders faced the rising stars from Rangers.
Tull was again at his menacing best as he harried the Rangers defenders, and captain Barrons led by example at the back.
Laws was also impressive in goal whenever the young Scots threatened, making one particularly good save right on halftime.
Rangers took control of the game in patches but could not find a way through the resolute Otago defence, and Tull nearly created a massive shock when he held off three defenders but saw his shot blocked by a fourth.
Otago coach Tim Horner was a happy man after drawing with such a powerful club.
"I couldn’t actually be prouder of these young men," Horner said.
"There’s been times when we’ve questioned the aptitude of these boys, not because they don’t have the talent but because this level of football is so foreign to all of them and it’s just easy to fall back into old habits.
"They’re an exceptional group of boys and it’s so inspiring as a coach to see plans work and reward come from hard work and a commitment to a system."
Horner highlighted the work being done by physio Emerik Wallace as no fewer than 15 of the 18 players were getting daily treatment.
Otago were playing a semifinal overnight against Irish side Dundalk. The other semifinal was between County Tyrone and English Championship club Middlesbrough.
