Q & A with Auckland City striker Keryn Jordan

Keryn Jordan, hat-trick man. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Keryn Jordan didn't just burst the back of the net at North Harbour the other night. He actually burst into the front-page headlines. Which is rare for a soccer player in this country.

The 30-year-old Jordan's hat-trick for Auckland City against Tahitian side AS Pirae propelled the Kiwitea St team into December's six-team World Club Cup in Japan, the first time in four attempts a New Zealand side has turned playoffs into payoff.

A minimum $1.6 million payday, controversy over how the draw works, the outside chance of meeting Barcelona - yes Barcelona, the European champs. They're all mixed up in this story. Which is all pretty satisfying for the NZFC national league's golden boot winner, who was Pretoria-raised and is now ensconced in another part of the South African heartland, Browns Bay.

"At Least One SA Striker Can Hit the Target" announced a South African newspaper, managing to greet Auckland City's win by having a dig at their national side.

Jordan's career in his homeland was blighted by serious knee injuries which sidelined him for more than two years and left him with just a couple of friendly appearances for South Africa to remember. So we might as well start at the top ...

What's your favourite international memory?
Doing the national anthems at a packed stadium. It took five or 10 minutes to be able to feel my legs again. They were like absolute rubber. You've got no idea. It took five minutes to get my hand off my chest.

What are the supporters like in South Africa?
The black supporters ... if you excite them you've got their backing for life. You get mobbed in the streets. They want to talk to you for hours, although when you've lost you have to explain why.

They sound like the "Mad Dallies" who run the Central Club at Kiwitea St - and there's almost as many of them. What about soccer, New Zealand style?
Low key compared to South Africa, which is a bit disappointing. Where are all the people? But I think with Kiwis it is when they see a team succeed ... and I think we have opened people's eyes. We have just won more money than any other sporting code in New Zealand history. It would be great if it means more people start supporting soccer here. With soccer such a growing sport here, it would be great to see more corporates involved, to eventually go professional. There are so many opportunities for the youngsters. They can go to Europe, earn good money, they need to have the dream.

What about your European dream?
The knee injuries ruined my chances. I also tore one cruciate a week before a tour with the South African side to Jamaica and Trinidad. I've kind of gotten over that, but it was a hard pill to swallow at the time.

But here I am, about to play in the world club championship.

Bet you never thought you'd end up here?
Actually, my sister lives in Dunedin. She's married to a Kiwi. They met at one of my games in South Africa. Guy Hedderwick, the former Knights chief executive who had been involved in soccer in South Africa, felt my style would fit the Knights. Things had got a bit tough in South Africa, and the A-League had high standards.

You actually came here to play for Waitakere United and the Knights. Where did it all go wrong - or right?
I made the right decision leaving Waitakere, but I feel for them because they helped bring me out here. Until the 11th hour they couldn't guarantee the players they had on their books, and I didn't want to go through another season like the one I'd had there. Auckland City had their players signed, and are the best club in the league. Allan Jones is a master tactician and had solid backing from the board and players. There is fantastic team spirit.

Yes. Those clubs are bitter rivals. the only chance of your photo being on the Waitakere wall is as a dartboard ... What about the Knights?
The criteria was to do well in the national league, then join the Knights. But they signed John Adshead (as coach) who obviously didn't know much about the players locally at the time. I think he went on hearsay. I have an inkling who he was listening to - there was a bit of a conspiracy. For some reason, people didn't like me.

Mr Adshead didn't do all that well, did he?
Absolutely no comment.

But he's gone now, so is it time for a Knights' move?
They offered me a one-year contract, which was a bit of an insult. Paul Nevin was keen to have me there, but I feel the hierarchy had their say again. Paul sounds fantastic and has big plans, but my question is, "Will the management be able to back his ambitions up?"

You wanted more security?
Yes. With it only being a one-year deal ... basically it meant I wanted to get paid what their top striker was being paid, and it wasn't close. My theory is, if you want to pay peanuts, you will get a monkey. My focus has probably changed now. My career at James Hardie is my main bread and butter, and I have a lifetime of opportunity there.

Family?
Yes. My wife Sherry, and our 7-year-old son Liam. We're seeking residency.

So, back to North Harbour Stadium last Sunday night. What was your favourite goal against Pirae?
They all were, because they meant so much. But the header stood out because I could see it happening. To be able to foresee something and then execute it is so rewarding.

It put you back in the headlines in South Africa?
South Africa is an absolutely awesome country. There is such a good spirit there, a good, wholesome feel. There are little elements that ruin it of course. There is a lot of stuff that happens there, but it's stuff that happens all around the world.

A World Cup prediction?
There are so many good teams with a good chance. I'm picking Germany with their home support, or Brazil. But I've got a strong feeling that the USA will do very well. The professional set-up in their country is paying off. They are definitely my dark horse.