When All Whites goalkeeper Mark Paston made a crucial penalty save during Saturday's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain, Tauranga's Pixie Lochhead breathed a little easier.
The penalty had been conceded by Mrs Lochhead's son, All Whites defender Tony Lochhead, and Mrs Lochhead this morning emphasised the huge pressure surrounding the
penalty.
"The penalty was a huge deal. It was a massive one for Tony, as it was for the whole team. In a defensive role, you play to play and you don't try and foul on the other player, but you've got to do everything you can to save a goal," she said.
Lochhead's parents attended the pre and post-match functions, and caught up with their son after the game.
"It was such a high and he was making every happy statement, as you would if you were feeling like he was," Mrs Lochhead said.
She said he was hugely relieved, especially after the enormous pressure of the penalty.
"The players joined us around 12.30pm and we had a late night, but the boys would have had an even later one," she said.
Mrs Lochhead said she felt very nervous during the match and described the atmosphere of the crowd as "unbelievable."
"It was pure magic. It was an absolutely fantastic weekend and the boys did an amazing job," she said.
But Lochhead has no time to relax and enjoy the moment. Mrs Lochhead said her son got one day off before returning to practice with the Wellington Phoenix for their upcoming A-League match next weekend in Newcastle.
