Soccer: Worst turns to best as Mulligan secures World Cup ticket

David Mulligan was left speechless after getting the nod for next month’s World Cup in South Africa. Photo / NZPA

The worst of times has turned into the best of times for David Mulligan, who can pack his bags for soccer's World Cup despite being unwanted at club level.

Mulligan was left speechless yesterday when he was confirmed in the All Whites' 23-man squad for the tournament, which begins in South Africa a month from today.

"Words cannot described how I'm feeling," he said after he had time to digest the news.

"As a kid, you want to go to the World Cup. That's your dream but you never expect to get there. I'm one of those kids and it's awesome."

Mulligan's inclusion comes after a season in which he didn't play a competitive match.

He couldn't get on the pitch for the Wellington Phoenix during a campaign that reached the A-League preliminary final, and he ended up being released by the club.

"Mentally, it's been the worst," he said of his failure to get game time.

"As a footballer, you want to be playing week-in week-out."

Without the support of his wife, family, friends and teammates, who kept him focused, he wouldn't be where he was now, he said.

"It's been a hard year, but now it's been a great year."

Before joining the Phoenix in 2008, Mulligan plied his trade in the English lower divisions with clubs that included Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers and Scunthorpe United.

He made his debut for the All Whites in 2002, and has 25 international appearances and three goals to his name.

He went to the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year, but had a tough time operating at right back.

During a training camp that coach Ricki Herbert held in Auckland over the past fortnight, Mulligan was slotted into a holding midfield role, one he felt more comfortable with.

"I played defensive midfield for a number of years," he said.

"I feel that's where my best position is and Ricki gave me the chance to play there."

Mulligan, 28, remains without a club and he hoped to get the chance in South Africa to show what he could do.

The irony of Mulligan's situation at the Phoenix, for whom he ended up playing just three games over two seasons, is that Herbert is also the club's coach.

Herbert said Mulligan was simply a victim of circumstances whereby other players were performing well and couldn't be left out.

"Why is he any different from Chris Killen, who could not get a game at Celtic," Herbert asked, citing the example another World Cup-bound All White, who is now with English side Middlesbrough.

"He was at a professional football club where the manager, myself in this case, elected not to play him. The club had an extremely good season so selection was always difficult for David."

Herbert added that Mulligan had been "an absolute standout" during the camp.

- NZPA