Tokyo Olympics: 'We want more' - OlyWhites out to continue historic run after victory over South Korea

The OlyWhites' historic victory over South Korea on Thursday is just the beginning for what could prove to be one of New Zealand's great football sides, says striker Chris Wood. 

Having never before tasted victory at an Olympic Games, New Zealand's men's side rewrote the history books at Kashima Stadium, as a Wood goal was enough to earn the OlyWhites a 1-0 victory over 2012 bronze medallists South Korea. 

What's more, if the OlyWhites can win one of their next two group games - against Honduras or Romania - then they'd become the first New Zealand men's side to advance out of their group at an Olympic Games, and into the quarter finals. 

And speaking after Thursday's victory, Wood made it clear that the victory over South Korea will push the OlyWhites even further towards the knockout stages. 

"It is a very good motivator, something to give us more belief. It's fantastic [and] it's going to spur us on to, hopefully, better things to come," Wood says.

"So it's a great start to a tournament, a tournament that's on the world stage. Something we've never done is start a tournament so well."

With the bulk of the OlyWhites aged 24 and under - due to Olympic men's selection rules - Thursday's victory can serve as a catalyst for a new era of football in New Zealand.

And Wood makes it clear that he's using his position as one of the two overage players, alongside captain Winston Reid, that South Korea is only going to be the start.

"I see the potential in these lads," he adds.

"Their potential isn't to win one game at the Olympics, their potential is to go a lot further.

"Yes, enjoy the moment, enjoy something that's historic. But remember, we're here to do a lot more than that. We're here to create a lot more history than that.

"This is the standard we've set. We want more, we want this level and now more. We do not drop below that."

In fact, Wood believes that there's enough about this current group of OlyWhites that could see them lay the foundation to become arguably the strongest All Whites team New Zealand have ever had.

"The potential that this team has will and could overshadow a lot of New Zealand teams that have been in the past.

"It's exciting to see what these lads can do, and if they fulfil their potential, it's going to be some side for the next few years to come, or at least the next 10 years. I'm excited to be a part of it, and hopefully it starts now."

Manager Danny Hay also singled out the performance of captain Reid, playing through a nasty cut to his head to be the mainstay of the New Zealand defence, standing firm amidst waves of South Korean attacks to earn the OlyWhites' victory.

"Winston was outstanding," Hay says.

"His individual performance amongst the collective was something to behold. It was like the ball had a magnet to his head - even after he had that big slice on it."

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