It probably didn't occur to him at the time but James Musa's surprise signing with Fulham is partly thanks to Australia.
Musa's move to the Premier League club last week is the strongest representation yet of the seismic shift that has taken place in New Zealand football over the past five years.
Since Australia football left Oceania for Asia in 2006, leaving us top dogs of the Pacific, more opportunities have risen for young players.
Before 2006, New Zealand was basically irrelevant on the world stage. We had qualified for just one age group World Cup, the Under-17s tournament in 1997. It was forgettable, as Joe McGrath's team lost 4-0 to Mali and 5-0 to Mexico before being whacked 13-0 by a Spanish team that featured Xavi Hernandez and future Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas on the bench.
Since Australia's departure New Zealand has qualified for every age-group world cup (and the 2010 Fifa World Cup and two Olympic Games), except for the 2009 Under-20s.