Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Baggies striker Wood’s Cup joy
Saturday 14th November 2009, 12:55PM GMT.
Albion teenager Chris Wood is heading for the World Cup after helping his native New Zealand clinch an historic play-off win over Bahrain today.
The 17-year-old joined joyous celebrations in Wellington as the All White won 1-0 to clinch their place in next summer’s finals in South Africa.
The win continues a fairytale 2009 for Wood, who has played in the Premier League, landed a professional contract, made his international debut and scored his first senior Albion goal since April.
Wood is now in line to join Hawthorns team mates Gonzalo Jara of Chile, Marek Cech of Slovakia and Abdoulaye Meite of Ivory Coast in the finals while Robert Koren’s Slovenia face a play-off for qualification against Russia later today.
Wood played his part as a late substitute today as Plymouth’s Rory Fallon scored the only goal for New Zealand in the 44th minute this morning to clinch the second leg of the play-off for New Zealand.
And former Walsall goalkeeper Mark Paston was the All Whites’ other hero as his 50th-minute penalty save from Sayed Mohamed Adnan capped a fine display.
The first leg in Bahrain had ended goalless. New Zealand have not played in the World Cup since 1982.
The latest success continues a whirlwind rise to fame for Wood, who left his homeland in July 2008 to join the Baggies academy and has made a rapid breakthrough into the first team.
lAlbion have announced there will be free admission to their home reserve match against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday (7pm).
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“go on, my son”
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well done chris look forward to watching you,dont look like any wolves players will be at world cup,never mind they can watch ours,aye boing boing
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Chris will be one of the youngest ever I should think. How old was Pele back in 1958 when he played for Brazil? Well done aer kid. We shall be looking out for you.
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He was terrible in the match, too weak and too slow for that level, he is only 17 but you can tell he will never make it to be a top player. 2. Tezza apart from him who else of ours will be there?
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4 – What a compliment.
Shadrag’s posing as me AGAIN!!
Love you Shadrag xxxxx
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4 – Shadrag, if you were asking anyone, then i could tell you that Meite, Wood, Jara and Cech are already definitely there, plus Koren’s Slovenia are only a goal down in the play offs to Russia and playing them at home in the 2nd leg.
Plus of course, our Captain Carson has a much better chance of getting BACK in the England squad than Matt Murray or Carl Ikeme have of ever getting into it.
However, Michael Kightly is of course backing your very own Karl Henry to be England’s world cup hero ahead of Lampard, Gerrard, Jenas, Barry, Hargreaves, Huddlestone et al.
Best of luck with that!!
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In fairness I would probably start for New Zealand, its a Rugby country!
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6 nedball,and dont forget there 1 goal(pen)prolific goal machine was going to lead the england attack in world cup,aye boing boing
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how many dingles does it tek to change a lightbulb? none,cuz they will always be in the shadow of ALBION aye boing boing
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Ned, are you quite sure it’s Shadrag? Spelling AND grammar without error. Mainly small words though, but to be fair, he’s improving. Grade 3 soon! Shadrag, 10 out of 10 this time. Keep it up and we’ll let you use your own name on here.
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Thing is, if Karl (Thierry) Henry was from New Zealand he would defo go to the world cup, after all if lower league players can get in the side…..
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10 – Cyril. Well spotted!! I hadn’t even thought of the fact that there were no spelling mistakes.
God bless you Shadrag, I still love you xxxxx
11 – Yes, he possibly could get in the New Zealand team. I must admit, I’m no expert on football in New Zealand. However, the point I was making is that Michael Kightly has actually stated that he thinks Karl Henry should be considered for the England World Cup squad and I find that astonishing.
There must be at least 15 better English centre midfielders above Karl Henry in the pecking order.
Gerrard; Lampard; Barry; Jenas; Huddlestone; Murphy; Sidwell; Reo – Coker; Greening; Hargreaves; Carrick; Wilshere; Noble; Bullard; Rodwell; Osman; Richardson; Cattermole and Parker just off the top of my head for example.
Not having a go on this occasion, it’s just my opinion.
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Question is what’s Shadrag’s record for most false names on one article and shall we challenge him to break it?!
About Wood, well done kid that will be a fantastic experience for him, best of luck Chris.
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Well done Woody, what a year it’s been for you.
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14 – I know. Who’d have thought they’d be making a Toy Story 3 eh?! :-)
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14,to infinity and beyond aye boing boing down
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Got to say it was a great game, we have been in Wellington for nearly 4 years and in that time have really missed a good game of footy. The westpac stadium was capacity and a great site behold when joung woody came on to play the last quarter. My son and I are proud to be baggies. Boing Boing
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