The All Whites have opened their Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament with a nervy 1-0 victory over Papua New Guinea 1-0 at Doha's Suheim bin Hamad Stadium.
The result sees the All Whites take three valuable points in the tournament's Group B, with matches against Fiji and New Caledonia still to come.
Wellington Phoenix youngster Ben Waine proved New Zealand's hero, scoring less than 10 minutes into his international debut, on hand to finish, as right-back Dane Ingham crossed into the PNG area from a free-kick.
The All Whites could have cruised home in more comfortable fashion, missing several chances late in the second half.
Forward Logan Rogerson hit the crossbar with a header, while Matthew Garbett and Nikko Boxall both had shots at goal kept out by PNG keeper Ronald Warrison.
Regardless, the result was exactly what Danny Hay's side needed, missing several first-string players, with the tournament falling outside FIFA's international window and professional clubs not required to release their players.
The All Whites play their second game of the tournament on Tuesday morning (NZ time) against Fiji at the same venue and can take inspiration in the shape of Premier League striker Chris Wood, released by Newcastle United early.
New Zealand 1 (Waine) Papua New Guinea 0
