KEY POINTS:
The 2010 World Cup is one goal too far for New Zealand's most prolific goalscorer.
And so yesterday Vaughan Coveny told All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, "thanks, but no thanks" and called time on his international career.
With Herbert expected to name his 20 players for this month's matches against Costa Rica and Venezuela today, Coveny felt it was an opportune time to retire from international football.
With 75 fiercely proud games in an All Whites shirt, Coveny ranks ninth on the all-time list headed by centurions Steve Sumner and Brian Turner. The top five, Sumner, Turner, Adrian Elrick, Duncan Cole and Herbert were all members of the 1982 World Cup team. The others ahead of Coveny are Michael McGarry, Ceri Evans and Chris Zoricich.
In one column, Coveny stands alone.
The goals he scored against Georgia in May last year took his tally to 30 - two more than the record set more than 50 years ago by transplanted Ayr United professional Jock Newall.
The goals did not flow from the start for Coveny - his first was in his 10th outing against a Dutch amateur side at Mt Smart.
Interestingly, Coveny was first selected for the national side after he had left these shores. At no time in his 15-year international career, did Coveny play for a New Zealand-based club.
First noticed while playing for New Zealand in an under-23 international against Australia in the early 1990s, Coveny was encouraged to send a video and his CV across the Tasman.
"Eddie Thompson was coaching the Australians and said I should try my luck there," said Coveny.
"I started playing here in 1992 and have played every season since."
But for how many more seasons?
"I don't want to put a number on it. I will just continue to look at my body and see how I shape up mentally and physically," said Coveny from his home in Melbourne. "If the New Zealand franchise gets up and running and they want me, I'm dead keen to come back home and play for them.
"I would still like to be involved with the game in New Zealand. I am very much a patriotic New Zealander."
At times he has copped it from his mostly-Australian teammates while playing in Melbourne, Wollongong and Newcastle but reckons he gives as good as he gets. His decision to quit is more about finding time for his family than a loss of desire.
"I have had a good run but with two young children [Karla, 4, Luka, 1] it is time to step back and give them and my wife Mira more of my time.
"If I had gone on this year and then quit, it would not have given Ricki enough time to find someone to take over before the World Cup. It is an exciting time and the chance for a young guy to come in and savour the same thrill I felt all those years ago when I was given my chance.
"I've had a great time. And certainly no regrets."
Herbert was caught in two minds with Coveny's surprise call.
"It has been an absolute pleasure working with Vaughan," said Herbert. "He has been very successful and no one has taken more pride in playing for his country."
With Coveny unavailable and Chris Killen out with injury, Herbert's attacking options for the upcoming tour are limited which could open the door for Shane Smeltz, Jeremy Brockie, Jarrod Smith and Kris Bouckenooghe.
Injured midfielder Simon Elliott can also be selected but only after a check.
Vaughan Coveny
* Born: December 13, 1971, Wellington
* International debut: v St Albans (in England), February 1, 1992
* International matches: 75 (9th on all-time list)
* International goals: 30 (record)
* Senior (Aust) clubs: Melbourne Knights, Wollongong City, South Melbourne, Newcastle Jets.
In the mix
Likely All Whites squad to play Costa Rica and Venezuela:
Mark Paston, Glen Moss, Tony Lochhead, Ryan Nelsen, Stephen Old, Danny Hay, Che Bunce, Noah Hickey, Ivan Vicelich, David Mulligan, Tim Brown, Chris James, Leo Bertos, Jeremy Christie, Kris Bouckenooghe, Simon Elliott, Andy Barron, Shane Smeltz, Jarrod Smith, Jeremy Brockie.
