Dyer represents Anthony Hudson's brave, new world. He was picked for the senior national side (as a replacement for Ryan Thomas) directly from the Wanderers, as Hudson took his youth policy to extreme levels for April's match against Korea.
Dyer was the youngest of a raw group, having celebrated his 18th birthday two days before the team flew out. It meant everything was a bit overwhelming and he was also deigned to perform certain tasks, like giving the squad a speech over the bus microphone about Seoul's World Cup stadium. But he coped, and came on as a substitute in the 79th minute.
"That 15 minutes was crazy," said Dyer. "From the Wanderers, it was the All Whites - my first New Zealand experience [at any level]. That's why when I came on I was just running around like a headless chicken. But all those experiences are so valuable."
Dyer, usually used as an attacking midfielder, has a sharp turn of pace and is good with the ball at his feet. Although he missed the first part of last season with a knee injury, he was part of the Westlake first XI who finished runners-up to Sacred Heart in both the Auckland and national championships, an experience he describes as "a bit gutting". But it was also a fateful shop window for Dyer, and a road to a much bigger stage.
"[Junior All Whites coach] Darren Bazeley was watching us in a league game," said Dyer. "I did quite well, got two goals and he asked me to come and train with the Wanderers. I guess it started from there."
Dyer wasn't a complete unknown. He was sent to England last year as the New Zealand representative for the Nike Most Wanted trial but hadn't made much of a mark locally.
That could change over the next six days, with games against the United States (Tuesday) and Myanmar (Friday).
"This is huge for us," said Dyer. "'We are trying to stay relaxed but we know it means a lot to a lot of people.
"We know we can do well. There is a lot of confidence and belief in this team."
