Soccer: Little midfielder keen to kick on with NZ goal

Michael McGlinchey scored his first goal and played a composed role in the match against China. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Michael McGlinchey had hoped it would have been at last year's World Cup - but it seems his time has come.

The diminutive midfielder with the thick Scottish accent - he was born in Wellington but represented Scotland at youth level - scored in the 1-1 draw with China yesterday and should go on to play a pivotal role in midfield over the next three years.

The 24-year-old was unlucky not to play at last year's World Cup, with many suggesting his ball-playing ability should have been injected in the last game against Paraguay with the All Whites needing to win to advance to the second round. It was something that cut deeply at the time because he knew he could make a difference.

Yesterday he proved it. Not only did he score, but he also played a composed role in central midfield, carrying on the impressive season he had in helping the Central Coast Mariners to the A-League grand final.

Coach Ricki Herbert had signalled before the match it was now time for McGlinchey to get his chance, particularly with Simon Elliott's career drawing to a close. His goal was a classy left-footed finish from just outside the box.

"I knew Killy (Chris Killen) had the ability to bring it down and when I connected with the ball I always knew it was going in," McGlinchey said, "It feels amazing. To get your first goal is something you strive to do. That was my eighth cap for the All Whites, so hopefully I can kick on and get a few more goals."

It's hoped Glen Moss can stop a few more as well. The All Whites goalkeeper endured a bitter-sweet 2010 as he watched Mark Paston star with the gloves at the World Cup. Moss was suspended for the first two matches and didn't see any time in the third and his start against China yesterday was the first since the 2-0 defeat to Mexico last March.

He was excellent at times against China, producing a handful of top saves to deny the Chinese strikers but he was also uncharacteristically sloppy. He miscued a number of back-passes and spilled balls he would normally snaffle.

"I was just happy to keep the score down and was hoping we could pinch one at the other end but it wasn't to be," he said.

"Our performance ... shows there are good signs there."