New Zealand failed to reach the Super League stage at the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka but can still claim some silverware.
The Young Kiwis take on Ireland in the Plate Championship quarter-final, involving the eight sides that failed to finish in the top two places in their group.
Dipak Patel’s side will be keen to do that after defeats against Bangladesh and Pakistan meant they failed to reach the Super League for the first time ever.
Patel said: “I hope we can refocus. The players are here to learn about playing in these conditions and we will be getting their heads together for the next challenge.”
Ireland, however, will be no pushovers despite finishing bottom of Group D.
They came within a boundary of beating Super League semi-finalists England and reached the Plate Championship semi-finals in the last Under-19 World Cup, in Bangladesh in 2004.
Eoin Morgan has English county experience with Middlesex, while seam bowler Niall McDarby claimed the tournament’s best bowling figures to date with 6-50 against the English in pool play.
