Football: Sigmund calls time on international career

Ben Sigmund. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Phoenix defender Ben Sigmund has retired from international football. The 33-year-old made 32 appearances for the All Whites, including every World Cup qualifying match on the road to South Africa in 2010.

His last appearance came in the 4-2 loss to Japan in Tokyo in March. Sigmund was part of the recent camp in Doha but wasn't used by Anthony Hudson in the subsequent game against Uzbekistan.

The New Zealand Herald understands that Sigmund has decided that now is the right time, at the start of a new cycle with the 2018 World Cup in Russia the target. Sigmund may still have been in the picture over the next 12 to 18 months but - typical of a man who has always put his country first - he has decided that it's best to allow new talent to have the chance to make their mark.

Sigmund will leave a significant void. He was one of a rare breed; he only became a professional footballer at the age of 27, which instilled a hunger and determination that has never left him.

With the retirement of Ryan Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich and the current self imposed absence of Tommy Smith, suddenly Hudson's options in the centre of defence look quite limited. Aside from Winston Reid, others such as Andrew Durante and Michael Boxall have yet to prove themselves at international level.

Sigmund was a tower of strength for the All Whites in the late 2000s and it is appropriate that he featured in three of the most impressive defensive displays in New Zealand football history. The first was at the Confederations Cup in South Africa. After New Zealand had been beaten by both Spain and South Africa, coach Ricki Herbert gave Sigmund a start in the final match against Asian champions Iraq. The tense 0-0 draw was seen as a turning point for that team, and also earned the All Whites their first point at a FIFA competition.

The other games were the epic battles with Bahrain later that year. The first match in Manama is often overlooked, but coming home without conceding a goal was key to the subsequent qualification. Sigmund was part of an heroic defensive effort - anchored by Nelsen and alongside Vicelich - that saw the All Whites leave the Gulf State unscathed.

A month later 35,000 screaming fans - as well as most of the nation via television - witnessed history, as the All Whites won 1-0 in Wellington and qualified for the World Cup for just the second time. Sigmund was a defensive rock again but also played a crucial part in the all important goal. It was his determined run, from near halfway, that forced the corner from which Rory Fallon headed the `ten million dollar goal'.

After qualification Sigmund lost his place, as Reid and Smith emerged onto the scene. It must have been dreadfully hard to take, as Sigmund had featured in every qualification match but didn't get on the field in South Africa. But he remained the ultimate professional and a true team man.

After representing New Zealand at U-17 and U-20 level as a teenager, Sigmund was selected for the three match All Whites' tour of Malaysia and Oman in 2000. He made his All Whites debut against Oman on 17th August, 2000, when Brad Scott scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory.

After a long absence, Herbert brought him back from the international wilderness in May 2007 for a friendly match against Wales in Cardiff. It was a memorable occasion - Shane Smeltz scored twice as the All Whites gained a 2-2 draw with the Ryan Giggs- led Wales side - and Sigmund became a regular in the team over the next few years.