Soccer: Growing Payne to scale new heights

Tim Payne. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand's ultimate goal is to reach the quarter-finals, something no side from this country has done at a world tournament, but the Under-17 World Cup also presents individual opportunities.

Chris Wood was 'discovered' at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup and has since gone on to play in the English Premier League. Others like Jake Gleeson, Gordon Murie, Jamie Doris, Michael Built, Cory Chettleburgh, Cameron Lindsay and Kosta Barbarouses have also gone on to professional clubs or top American universities. Tim Payne and Luke Adams represent the best players this time around.

The Young All Whites flew out on Friday for a World Cup which starts next week in Mexico. New Zealand begin their campaign against Uzbekistan on June 21 and follow it up with games against the Czech Republic and US.

Payne says his ambition is to finish high school this year, but loftier goals are expected of the 17-year-old. He first played in the NZFC two seasons ago and became an important component of Waitakere's defence of their national league title. He's helped Sacred Heart College, coached by former All Whites captain Danny Hay, challenge the dominance of Mt Albert and Auckland Grammars.

"He's got amazing potential," Young All Whites coach Aaron McFarland said. "He's got huge strengths physically, technically and psychologically. You struggle to say that about most of the other players.

"I don't doubt that most scouts [at this tournament] will see him as someone who will fit into any club or university in the States. I hope he picks up something that will take him to the next level."

Adams has already trialled in the UK at Birmingham and is an intelligent centre back who will see plenty of action in Mexico while striker Cameron Howieson is another McFarland expects to perform well.

It will certainly help if the team do well in Mexico. Two years ago in Nigeria, under Steve Cain, they made the second round - the first time any team from New Zealand had done that at a world tournament. Cain was due to take the team again but resigned seven weeks ago after an incident involving an email to a mother of one of his players.

McFarland hasn't tried to re-invent the wheel and believes they are capable of making the second round. To do that, they need to beat Uzbekistan in the opening match and probably pick up a point from one of their remaining two games.

Not only will they have the mid-summer heat to contend with, but all three games will also be played at altitude (the match against the US will be at 2000m).

"We have a good team," McFarland said. "If they can cope with the pressure and physical conditions, we have got players who can play. We are not just going to be kicking and hoping for the best."