KEY POINTS:
All Whites skipper Danny Hay has announced his retirement from the national side, effective immediately.
Hay, who has played 34 games for New Zealand since making his debut against Oman in 1996, said he would be doing coach Ricki Herbert no favours if he kept playing.
"It has been a very tough decision to make," Hay said in a statement. "Playing for my country is something that is, of course, very important to me. It has given me some of my highest highs in the game and it is a wrench to leave the team.
"The ultimate honour has been to captain the side. That little bit of cotton with the `C' on it is something that I wore with pride. To be honest, the captaincy is the thing that has kept me in international football.
"But with a World Cup campaign around the corner for the All Whites I would be doing Ricki Herbert and the boys a disservice if I kept playing because my heart wouldn't be in it.
"The All Whites and the future of football in New Zealand will always be important to me but my priorities recently have changed.
"There are new challenges to be focused on and while I'll continue to play in the NZFC for Waitakere United, there is now no room for international football."
- NZPA
