Soccer: Skipper keen to shake off bitter memories

Ryan Nelsen is a footballing warrior. He will need all those skills as he prepares for a battle few would be in any hurry to accept.

Named yesterday by new All Whites coach Ricki Herbert to continue as captain of the national side, Nelsen will lead the All Whites in the friendly international against Australia in London on June 9.

Speaking from his new base in Blackburn, Nelsen accepted the All Whites could be ripe for a hiding in such a match, coming as it does just days before the Socceroos play the Confederations Cup in Germany.

"Whenever you play a quality side there is the potential for that, especially as they will be at full strength. But in those circumstances there is also the chance of an upset," Nelsen said.

He sees this match - and any others - as the chance to shake off the bitter memories of the debacle in Adelaide last June when the All Whites lost all World and Confederations Cup hopes with the loss to Vanuatu.

"It still annoys me. That was our big chance. I'm still not happy about the way things were handled," said Nelsen, who is also angry at subsequent statements that he said he would put club before country.

"I never said that playing for my club was more important than playing for the All Whites. I simply pointed out that, unlike rugby, where players are paid by their national association, soccer players are paid by their clubs.

"New Zealand Soccer does not put any bread on your table, but that in no way should be seen as me saying I do not want to play for my country. It is like other things that were said at the time I came over here. Suggestions that I said, 'I hated America' is stupid."

Of Herbert's appointment, Nelsen, is enthusiastic. "He is a New Zealand man. He is patriotic and will develop a team around him. I'm keen to be part of that. I don't think it is about him being New Zealand-born, more about being the right person for the job. You respect that."

While he has not heard the full details of Australia's bid to cut ties with the Oceania Football Confederation, moving in with Asia, Nelsen said: "It sounds fantastic. It would be one less hurdle for New Zealand teams to face."

Before Nelsen joins his New Zealand team-mates in London he will continue to play a key role in Blackburn Rovers' FA Cup campaign and their ongoing battle to stay clear of relegation threats in the English Premier League.

Comparing his football with Rovers and the DC United team he played for in the American MLS, Nelsen said the pace in England is "a bit quicker" and a lot more taxing on his body.

The biggest difference, he says, is not on the pitch but in the passion surrounding the game.

"The atmosphere is amazing. The match against Burnley in the last round of the FA Cup - the oldest derby clash in English football - was unbelievable. It was a massive day. The two cities are only about five or six miles apart. Clashes between the teams are up there with games between Manchester City and Manchester United in terms of passion.

"Bragging rights are big in this part of England," Nelsen said. "Blackburn, Burnley, Preston and Bolton are close together. The rivalry is intense."

That game was made even more special for Nelsen when he was handed the captain's armband by manager Mark Hughes.

"It was a shock to be asked to lead the team in such a game. The whole team has come together so well under Mark Hughes. The results have been going our way. If we do go down we will go down fighting."

Nelsen says he is looking no further ahead than May 14 - the last day of the English premier season.

"I will take a deep breath and then start thinking about the All Whites and the game in London."

Nelsen said he had heard talk of likely offers from one or other of the bigger clubs but dismissed that as "paper talk", saying he has a contract at Blackburn until the end of next season.

Beyond that? "Who knows?"