Soccer: Hogg hanging out for the Olympics

Ian Hogg's coach says Hogg (right) has always been good at one-on-one situations. Photo / Dean Purcell

Ian Hogg is very much a "have boots, will travel" kind of guy. He celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday but already has a passport bulging with stamps from some pretty exotic destinations - testimony to his undoubted ability as a footballer.

He can point to such places as Abu Dhabi, Costa Rica, Italy, Thailand, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, China and United States among places he has pulled on his boots whether playing for his club, representing New Zealand or trying his luck in a trial situation.

There is a certain irony in all this.

Regarded among the best left backs in the country, Hogg blames a sloping back yard for his inability to cut it as a striker for his ticket to the world.

"We had a slope on our lawn at home and my older brother always played on the right so I was forced on to my left foot," said Hogg, just back from Japan and a second trip with Auckland City to a Fifa Club World Cup. "Then, when I was being coached by Fred Simpson with the New Zealand under-13 squad he said to me I wasn't going to make it as a striker so why not try left back.

"It was more or less do that or go home."

It was a call he has never regretted.

For years left back has been a problem position in many New Zealand teams. Hogg has shown out as one of a few comfortable in the role.

Under City coaches Ramon Tribulietx and Aaron McFarland his game has grown.

"He is a very disciplined player and I have seen a real improvement in the last couple of years," said Tribulietx. "It is not easy for a player like him to play our style but he is getting more confident and growing into the role.

"He has always been very good defensively and good in one-on-one situations now he has become better at keeping the ball and playing football. His crossing too has improved."

Tribulietx has no doubt he is good enough to claim a place in the national under-23 team who will attempt to qualify for the London Olympics.

Hogg cannot wait to have another crack at the big time.

At 18 he was the youngest New Zealand player at the Beijing Olympics and would love to go back for a second time.

From a footballing family like few others - his mother Julie was a full international, his father Jimmy played at under-21 level for New Zealand, his brother Stu was an under-23 international and his sister Michelle a member of this year's triumphant Glenfield Rovers team - Hogg always knew he would follow a well-trodden path.

As a student at Auckland Grammar he got caught in the school versus club crossfire - missing out on a Chatham Cup winner's medal by putting school first. Something, he says, he does not regret. Unlike many of his age, he has not neglected his studies to the point he has just graduated from Auckland University.

"I want to play professionally overseas," said Hogg. "But it is important to have a fall-back option."

His attention now turns to Sunday's home ASB Premiership match against a buoyant Otago United.

Both teams are likely to be at less than full strength with City having to make do without two of their Spaniards, Manel Exposito and Albert Riera, and striker Adam Dickinson who have returned to Europe for Christmas under a long-standing agreement with the club post the Club World Cup.

Otago's Craig Ferguson, Harley Rodeka and Tom Connor are all under an injury cloud for a team who have not beaten Auckland City in their past 12 attempts.

Chad Coombes, out of action for a few weeks and not used in Japan, returns to the City squad with young striker Stephen Carmichael and Thomas Doyle.

Elsewhere, Waikato FC are back at Porritt Stadium, Team Wellington host YoungHeart Manawatu and Waitakere United play Canterbury United on the artificial pitch in Christchurch.

Hogg's future at Auckland City might soon be up in the air. He is to fly out next month for trials with Swedish club Umea FC.