Soccer: Coombes pushes case for World Cup place

Chad Coombes. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Chad Coombes, scorer of a wonder goal during Auckland City's magical world club championship campaign, is being touted as a contender for the All Whites' World Cup squad.

Coombes' long-range strike with his weaker left foot helped Auckland beat Al Ahli in Abu Dhabi and propelled him into the headlines.

Rather than being a one-hit wonder, his Auckland City coach Paul Posa said Coombes had made terrific strides and he would be pushing his All Whites case with national coach Ricki Herbert.

Posa believes Coombes may have already been on the All Whites' radar before Auckland City left for Abu Dhabi, where they shocked the football world by finishing fifth through wins over host club Al Ahli and the African champions TP Mazembe.

"I really think he is worth a look for the All Whites - Chad has started to blossom," said Posa, who co-coached with Herbert for five seasons at Central.

"I feel our team performed above itself in Abu Dhabi and Chad was exceptional.

"Temperament was his problem but he has matured. He has worked on his weaknesses and his strengths are coming to the fore.

"He's always had fitness, speed, terrific skills and a ferocious shot ... I believe he has been watched by the All Whites and he should be considered as an outside candidate for the World Cup," the Auckland coach said.

Versatility is the story of the 26-year-old's career, which began in his hometown of Hamilton before he went to Mt Albert Grammar on a football scholarship.

He was a late switch to right back for the match against Al Ahli - Auckland usually play him as a striker, and he had a central midfield role in the final world club game against the Congolese.

Most of the All Whites come from the professional ranks, but there are a handful of exceptions from the New Zealand Football Championship.

Three or four spots are up for grabs in the All Whites' squad of 23 for South Africa. The 18 players from the Bahrain matches are expected to travel, Herbert wants the Ipswich defender Tommy Smith to cut his England ties and join the campaign, and No 1 keeper Glen Moss will be included even though suspension rules him out for the Group F matches against Slovakia and Italy in June.

Coombes, a former national secondary schools and under-20 representative, has set his sights on the World Cup squad and believes his best position was at right back.

"I've been with Auckland City for six seasons now and it has taken four or five seasons to mature as a footballer," Coombes said.

"I've been told a few times that the All Whites assistant coaches are happy with how I'm going and Paul has told me to keep working hard, and that something might come of it.

"In the past I thought being a utility might be my downfall but having matured I find I can adjust to the different roles quickly and I think how I played in Abu Dhabi has improved my chances."