All White Steven Old seemingly spends almost as much time in the air these days as on the ground - whether jetting back and forth from his St John University in the United States or rising to head balls at the heart of the defence.
And his feet were certainly
not on the ground as he celebrated in style at QEII Park yesterday.
His ripping shot late in yesterday's international was a match-winner and left him a bit overcome by the emotion of it all.
"It was my biggest thrill in soccer for sure," said Old, 20, after carving out the All Whites' desperately sought 1-0 win over Malaysia.
Asked what his thoughts were as he plundered the ball high into the Malaysian goal to break the deadlock, Old said: "I could not think about anything.
"But it is sure worth all the time I have spent flying back and forth, even if my law studies are suffering."
The crucial goal - just minutes before referee Peter O'Leary, who contributed to the occasion with a no-nonsense display, blew for the end - capped a fine all-round outing for Old. His only other international goal was as an under-17 against Australia in Vanuatu.
And this one could not have been more timely.
When Andy Barron pumped a free kick deep and wide, New Zealand captain Danny Hay, at the far post, got to the ball and chested it down.
Two Malaysian defenders tried to block but the ball rolled free and Old, almost on the goal-line, blasted home.
"I didn't score any when I played for the under-16, under-20s or under-23s," Old said. "It would have been nice if Covs [striker Vaughan Coveny] had scored but I'll take it.
"I won't get the smile off my face for a long time. If I had hit the crossbar they would have been asking questions," said Old, who was largely unemployed in his defensive role in a lop-sided second half.
He gets his chance to increase his tally and go ahead of Hay, who has scored just once in 23 internationals, when the two teams meet again on Thursday at North Harbour Stadium.
TOP NZ GOALSCORERS
28 Jock Newall
28 *Vaughan Coveny
27 Steve Sumner
26 Keith Nelson
25 Brian Turner
22 Michael McGarry
20 Roy Coxon
19 Grant Turner
18 Earle Thomas, Colin Walker
17 Wynton Rufer
15 George Campbell, Jim Kershaw
14 Darren McClennan, *Chris Killen
13 William Forshaw, Dave Taylor Steve Wooddin
* Current players
All White Steven Old seemingly spends almost as much time in the air these days as on the ground - whether jetting back and forth from his St John University in the United States or rising to head balls at the heart of the defence.
And his feet were certainly
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