You are here: Home > News > Australia News > Coveny Urges Kiwi Calm

Monday, 15 March 2010

Australia News Coveny Urges Kiwi Calm

EXCLUSIVE: New Zealand’s greatest ever goalscorer Vaughan Coveny has urged the All-Whites to keep their emotions in check during Saturday night’s blockbuster second leg World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.

To see the latest new training session...

The new South Melbourne coach flies into Wellington on Friday and will try to briefly catch up with some of his Kiwi colleagues ahead of Saturday night's game in front of a sell-out 36,000.

With a 0-0 scoreline from the first leg, the Kiwis have the strikepower to hurt Bahrain with in-form Shane Smeltz upfront. But New Zealand also know the away goals rule could plunge a dagger through their hearts.

It will be a nervy night at Westpac Stadium with the possibility of extra time another factor.

"I've spoken to Tim Brown in the last couple of days and he's feeling really good and everyone's really excited over there," Coveny told au.fourfourtwo.com. 

"It's a one-off game so hopefully our players don't get too over-excited ... it'll be an emotional night for everyone so we've just got to try control the emotions and do the best we possibly can.

"Hopefully the rest will take care of itself."

The former Wellington Phoenix striker announced his retirement from professional football earlier this year aged 37, ending his 14-year All Whites career as New Zealand's leading all-time goal-scorer.

Coveny's 30 goals from 75 matches, and 28 goals from 64 'A' internationals, are both All Whites records, with his last two goals sealing a 3-1 win over Georgia in 2006 - New Zealand's first win on European soil.

Given he's played with many of the current All-Whites just adds to the excitement Coveny's feeling - and it's a feeling he well remembers.

"It'll be huge for the country, not just for football in New Zealand," he said. "I was young when we qualified in 1982 but I remember it and the country went mad.

"It would be huge for not only the game but the development of the game. And I believe they will qualify."

New Zealand's domestic competition, the NZ FC, is largely an amateur competition although Auckland City and Team Wellington are two of the better-funded clubs.

City's power is largely due to the money made by winning the O-League and representing Oceania at the Club World Cup but overall the competition has struggled and there's speculation of a revamp for next season.

Coveny is hoping a World Cup qualification will inject much needed funds to professionalise the league and provide a real pathway towards the A-League, particularly as Wellington Phoenix still does not have a youth team in the A-League's NYL.

And like Australia, a national curriculum could also be introduced he said. But that all depends on World Cup qualification.

The latest news out of the All-Whites camp is that Central Coast Mariner Mike McGlinchey is firming as a starting XI player for Saturday night's blockbuster.

Veteran All Whites midfielder Simon Elliott missed a third successive training session yesterday and the 35-year-old may miss out in midfield.

McGlinchey, formerly a fringe player at Celtic, has been a revelation at Bluetongue this season with his skill on the ball and ability to find space behind defenders. The 22-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in Bahrain in the first leg 0-0 draw.

According to reports, the Kiwis trained with three strikers up front, with Rory Fallon looking sharp in an advanced role, supported by Shane Smeltz and Chris Killen, who completed two training sessions yesterday after his arrival late Tuesday from Glasgow Celtic.

Some Wellington Phoenix fringe players have also been involved in training with the national team ahead of a game that's captured the imagination of the New Zealand sporting public.

To see the latest new training session...

Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Coveny Urges Kiwi Calm"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.