World NewsFallon: Thank God For That! |
RORY Fallon thanked God and paid tribute to his father for helping him make history for the country he feared he would never be able to represent at full international level.
Fallon represented England at youth level and thought his chance of playing for New Zealand at senior level had gone.
Previous efforts to play for the All Whites had come to nothing due to red tape and rules but recent changes to eligibility requirements opened the door for the Plymouth Argyle striker.
Fallon's father Kevin is a former All Whites assistant coach and Rory said it was a special moment for himself and his father - and a reward for all the assistance he had given him.
"I was visualising (the win) and I just knew I could do it," said Fallon. "I mean that is the belief that Ricki (Herbert) has been on about."
Yet, the belief was not possible without FIFA altering the rules to allow a player to change his country of representation. For Fallon, he believes it came from a higher place.
"I want to thank God for changing the rules for me." said Fallon. "So I am just thankful that I am here. I thought that dream had gone.
"When I was a young kid I made a bad mistake and I thought I would live to regret it." And when Fallon saw his father coaching the U17s he realised it was an error. Fortunately for New Zealand he was able to fix it.
Fallon paid tribute to his father Kevin who was assistant coach to John Adshead when New Zealand made it to the World Cup in 1982.
"Someone said he was crying before the match. I just want to thank him for those 6am starts ... and the time he has put into me," he added.
With thanks to Nick Guoth at Westpac Stadium.
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