HONG KONG - New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen's name is becoming more familiar worldwide thanks to his growing presence in the English soccer premiership.
Two leading Asian weekend newspapers ran the same British Press Association story yesterday which focused on Blackburn Rovers defender Nelsen and his thoughts on playing against Arsenal twice in short succession.
Under the headline "Kiwi star unfazed by Arsenal strike force", Hong Kong's Weekend Standard placed a picture of Nelsen in action in a full tabloid page preview to yesterday's Premiership match against Arsenal, which Blackburn lost 0-1.
The story said "Blackburn's new defensive star" was not overawed at the prospect of tackling the Premiership champions yesterday, and again within a month in an FA Cup semifinal.
"Of course I have so much respect for them but I don't fear them, not at all," Nelsen said. "As a professional you want to play against the best. They are superstars and have proven it at international level."
Rovers have conceded just four goals in the 11 games Nelsen has played since joining the club in January, prompting the report to say "the New Zealand skipper has made an instant impression at Ewood Park".
It went on to report, with a little licence, that Nelsen had turned his back on a promising career with the New Zealand cricket team.
"People questioned it at the time but I'm quite happy with the decision I've made, especially when you see New Zealand have just been beaten 5-0 in a one-day series by Australia."
- NZPA
Soccer: Nelsen's exploits get wide coverage
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