Soccer: Nelsen fails in late bid for Olympic extension

Ryan Nelsen has returned to England for the start of the English Premier League season. Photo / Getty Images

BEIJING - The New Zealand men's soccer team arrived in Shanghai today without captain Ryan Nelsen, who has returned home to England despite a late bid to extend his stay with the Oly-Whites.

Nelsen tried to contact his English club Blackburn Rovers after last night's 0-5 loss to Brazil, hoping to be granted an extension to play the final group match against Belgium in Shanghai on Wednesday.

New Zealand, who drew their opening match against China 1-1, need to win that game to advance to the quarterfinals.

Manager Jim Hogg was unsure if Nelsen even managed to get hold of Blackburn management and said the world class defender was bound to honour his commitment with the club to return after two matches.

Blackburn play their opening English Premier League match against Everton on Saturday.

- NZPA