Niko Kirwan celebrates his goal with Chris Wood. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
Niko Kirwan celebrates his goal with Chris Wood. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
Before the All Whites' squad dispersed back to their clubs in Europe and the United States, after the successful two game window in Bahrain, captain Chris Wood had one final message.
Wood, who made his international debut in 2009, has been involved in three World Cup qualifying campaigns, including theepic playoffs in Bahrain, Mexico and Peru.
He was also part of the South African adventure in 2010 and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.
The 29-year-old has done it all in a New Zealand shirt – but he's never seen collective talent like this.
Coach Danny Hay revealed the Burnley striker was inspired, as he addressed the team in their hotel following Wednesday's 1-0 over Bahrain.
"Woodsy spoke to the players and without wanting to paraphrase him, he is bloody excited about being a part of this group that is starting to emerge," said Hay.
"He said never before has he been a part of a New Zealand team that's gone away in a window and won two games on the bounce. This is re-invigorating him, in terms of his international career. He is really excited about what the future holds."
There is a lot of hope about this current group in football circles but Wood's view holds the most weight, as the constant thread in the team since 2009.
While the results were impressive – as the All Whites have never achieved two wins against non-Oceania teams in a FIFA window before – it was the manner of the performances that caught the eye.
The New Zealand team dominated both games, creating significantly more chances than Curacao and Bahrain, and looked comfortable in possession.
Chris Wood and Michael Boxall. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
"It's [about] changing the way we try to approach games," said Hay. "We have a different brand of player starting to emerge and it's giving them the courage to go and express themselves."
"Historically, having played for the All Whites, it was always quite a negative approach, we were quite defensive and hoping to nick something on the counter to win the game, or on a set piece, but what you are starting to see from this group of players is that they are far more positive than that."
Football is also about pragmatism sometimes, and playing away from home, in Jordan, Chile or Honduras (for example) with a World Cup spot on the line, brings a much greater set of pressures, with no margin for error.
But Hay is confident the building blocks are in place, ahead of the 2022 Inter-continental playoffs next June, should the All Whites qualify as Oceania's representative.
"I've got a real firm belief in the quality and character within this group, that we can actually take any side on," said Hay. "If we get through Oceania, I don't think – the way we are starting to progress – that any team around the world in that Inter-continental playoff is going to want to play us."
Among several standouts, Hay identified Liberato Cacace as one of the shining lights across the two games.
"It's no secret that Lib is critical to us," said Hay. "What we are seeing from him has really only scratched the surface and there is much more to come as well."
Hay added that the goalkeeping duel would continue into the next window, after incumbent Stefan Marinovic and challenger Michael Woud got one game each in the past few days, while Nik Tzanev and the Wellington Phoenix's Oli Sail remain in the picture.
"Michael was outstanding [against Bahrain] and Stefan didn't put a foot wrong the other day," said Hay. "It's healthy that they are competing and pushing each other for that No 1 spot when we get down to the big games."
Hay and the other travelling New Zealand staff will relocate to Abu Dhabi for the next few weeks, before further All Whites' games in the November window in either Europe or the Middle East.
