KEY POINTS:
Shane Smeltz has been the glue that has kept the Wellington Phoenix together showing out as a genuine goalscoring talent. He has carried that outstanding domestic form on to the international stage, scoring eight goals in the current All Whites World Cup campaign.
Born in Goppingen, Germany, Smeltz first played as a kid at Auckland's Oratia club. He was soon in Australia playing in Cairns, Brisbane and the Gold Coast going through the age-group representative grades with Queensland state teams.
His first senior club action was at the Brisbane Strikers in the old National Soccer League.
What are your goals in 2009?
Firstly, to be as successful as we can as a club at Phoenix. Then, on a personal level, to keep performing and enjoy my football.
Next season?
Who knows.
What inspired you to embark on a footballing career?
Probably my family. They had a massive influence on me from the age of 10. Dad, in particular, could see very early on how keen I was. From that time I always had a dream of playing football professionally.
In those younger years what position did you play?
Up to 16 I played in midfield and felt I was pretty good there especially in feeding the ball to other players. I was also scoring goals which led me to switch to striker during the time I was at the Queensland Academy of Sport.
Describe your job.
My job is the best in the world. I really look forward to training and spending time with my teammates. Training is never a bore. I certainly don't take it lightly. It's not your regular sort of job.
What is the best thing about your job?
Scoring goals as a striker is what people talk about but I don't put any pressure on myself in regards to records and those things. Like any job, there are highs and lows. I certainly have had some highs just as I have had lows but the achievements outweigh the lows.
And the worst?
When you are injured. I have been fortunate not to have to endure too much of that - at least not lately. I had a groin injury which kept me out for a whole season when I was in Adelaide.
What is your favourite ground?
There are some fantastic grounds in Australia but for now I would have to say the Westpac Stadium here in Wellington - it is a great feeling playing at home.
How much control do you have over whether your team wins or loses?
I don't look at it that way. I have a job to do. If I do it well we have a chance of winning but a defender probably has the same feeling.
Do you feel your sport gets the amount of public attention it deserves?
Overall, no. Certainly in the last couple of years it has got more - probably because of the Phoenix. We have to hope there will be more coverage this year with the All Whites to play at the Confederations Cup and later in the crucial World Cup qualifiers.
What is the proudest achievement of your sporting life?
Probably scoring the two goals for the All Whites in the 2-2 draw with Wales. It was the turning point in my career. I have now scored 11 goals in 20 games for the All Whites.
And your worst moment?
Definitely that injury - something you don't want to go through. It was very similar to the injury which sidelined Tim Brown for a long time.
Name the one career ambition that you want to realise before you retire.
I would love to win a championship, whether it is this season with the Wellington Phoenix or in the future. In the old NSL I made the finals with Adelaide City. That's as close as I've come although I did win a Chatham Cup with Napier.
If you didn't work in sport what would you do?
I'm not sure. My focus has been on football. Whatever I do, it would definitely be something in sport.
Who in the world do you most admire?
Probably right now it is my wife Nicole. We have two young daughters and she does a fantastic job with them which allows me to concentrate on my football.
