Soccer: Nelsen gets Spurs' nod to play for All Whites

Ryan Nelsen will jet in and out of Mt Smart Stadium to play for the All Whites. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Ryan Nelsen will make a flying visit to lead the All Whites against Jamaica next Wednesday at the ground where he scored one of the most important goals of his career.

Nelsen headed a late goal to earn the All Whites a 1-0 win over Australia at Mt Smart Stadium in 2002 and with it a ticket to the 2003 Confederations Cup. Ivan Vicelich, also in the squad to play Jamaica, played alongside Nelsen in that win over the Socceroos.

That victory, the last by the All Whites over the Socceroos, was also the last game played by the national side at the ground which was first used as the All Whites' home during the 1982 World Cup campaign.

Nelsen will squeeze his trip back to Auckland between two important English Premier League games for his new club Tottenham Hotspur.

He will leave London after Monday morning's [New Zealand time] crucial North London derby against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and arrive in Auckland in time for the captain's run at the match venue on Tuesday evening.

He will leave immediately after the game to return in time for Spurs' weekend home clash with Manchester United at White Hart Lane.

This could be the start of a hectic year internationally for Nelsen.

He has already intimated he is keen to play some, if not all, of New Zealand's matches at the Oceania Nations Cup - scheduled for Fiji from June 3-11 - but with the venue still to be confirmed.

If New Zealand reach the final four at that tournament, which doubles as a qualifier for next year's Confederations Cup in Brazil, they will have the first two, of six, home and away matches to find the Oceania representative for the next stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup later this year.

Nelsen has also indicated he is keen to again play at the Olympics if the New Zealand team win next month's Oceania under-23 tournament in Taupo. At least the Olympics are on his London doorstep.

"Ryan has already signed his application to play at the Olympics if we get through," said New Zealand Football chief executive Grant McKavanagh yesterday. "In talking with Ryan this week, he has made it clear he is keen to continue playing for his country."

Of concerns by the Tottenham management, McKavanagh said clubs always worried about injuries and the risks, especially when a game like this fell between two big games for the club.

"But the club understands how important Ryan sees games like this and the chance to lead his country and his aspiration to continue playing for the All Whites."

Until the 2014 World Cup?

"Yes, if the coach picks him."

McKavanagh is encouraged by early interest in the match, saying pre-sales total around 9000. With Mt Smart's 23,000-seat capacity, McKavanagh is hoping for a lot more and feels Nelsen's confirmation will help fill the stadium.

INTERNATIONAL
* New Zealand v Jamaica
* Mt Smart Stadium
* Wednesday, 7.30pm