Soccer: Steep learning curve for newcomers

By Terry Maddaford

GUADALAJARA - Five weeks ago Ryan Nelsen stood starry-eyed at the arrival gate of the Bangkok International Airport awaiting the New Zealand soccer team of which he had become the latest, unheralded, member.

Among those team-mates Nelsen shook hands with - most for the first time - at the start of the Confederations Cup build-up tour was Kris Bouckenooghe.

He, like Nelsen, was an almost anonymous name in New Zealand football. But they, among others, represent the future of soccer in New Zealand.

They take great pride in being part of the all-Kiwi turnout who got within a goal of highly-ranked United States in their Cup opener on Sunday. Unlike well-performed All Whites teams of the past, this was an all home-grown outfit.

Bouckenooghe is the outsider but only just - born in the Cook Islands. His father is a Belgian, his mother a proud Cook Islander.

But like their team-mates they learned their football in New Zealand.

Nelsen is from a family with strong footballing ties. His grandfather, Bob Smith, was a former chairman of the New Zealand Football Association. Five uncles played soccer for their country.

Nelsen played through the representative age groups in Canterbury and a few games for Christchurch United.

Bouckenooghe, who lived all but the first two months of his first three years in Belgium before moving to New Zealand, played his football in Tauranga, including a stint under Kevin Fallon at Mt Maunganui where he made his national league debut as a 15-year-old.

More recently, their skills have been crafted away from home shores. Twenty-two-year-old Bouckenooghe has been with Belgium second division club Roeselare for the past couple of seasons; Nelson (21) has spent two years at Greensboro College in North Carolina.

On his return from Mexico he will join former All Whites coach Bobby Clark at California's Stanford University.

Both are grateful for the opportunities international football has afforded them.

"It is everyone's dream to play football at this level," said Bouckenooghe. "For me it was a real thrill to play against the States, especially up front and alongside Vaughn Coveny, who I remember watching when I was much younger.

"I always thought he was a good player but never thought one day I might play alongside him.

"Football is my life. I played 31 of our team's 33 games last season and scored seven goals. I have just signed a new three-year contract and hope by the end of this season we will get into the first division."

But the juggling act between club football - his livelihood - and international play will remain a ticklish one.

"Cup football is my living. I could not go to the Oceania Nations Cup in Brisbane but could come here because it falls in the break between seasons."

Nelsen, too, faces much the same problem although in Clark he might find a more sympathetic ear.

"We have a squad of 26. When I get back we are off to Scotland for an eight-match pre-season tour," said Nelsen. "It will be up to me to win a place and then keep it.

"I have to work hard at both my football and education for the next two years then who knows? I definitely want to keep playing at the highest level until my body conks out."

Hopefully, that is some time off.