O Auckland FC goalkeeper Michael Woud had to postpone his wedding plans after being called up to the New Zealand World Cup squadbut stated that playing in football’s biggest tournament is a good reason to cancel the ceremony.
Woud got engaged a year ago, when he had no idea he would be part of coach Darren Bazeley’s plans for the World Cup. The goalkeeper planned to marry his fiancée, Zana Renton, precisely in the period between June 11th and July 19thdates of the competition held in North America.
This month, Bazeley confirmed Woud, who has six caps for the national team, as third behind Max Crocombe and Alex Paulsen.
Even without a guarantee of taking the field during the World Cup, Woud stated that received support from his fiancée to accept the call.
“My fiancée was very supportive of this. Not a bad reason to cancel a wedding — it only happens every four years. Let’s just do it next year,” the 27-year-old goalkeeper told the New Zealand press.
Woud joins the team after a turbulent period mid-season, when he lost his starting position at Auckland.
He, however, quickly regained his place after Oliver Sail, chosen to replace him, suffered a knee injury in January and was cut from the remainder of the A-League season, as well as missing out on the chance to play in the A-League.
The goalkeeper took advantage of the new opportunity and played an important role in Auckland’s unprecedented achievement in the A-League.
After making the only save in the shootout in the playoff win over Melbourne City, Woud kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 final win over Sydney FC last weekend, helping Auckland become Australia’s first elite club champions.
Woud said he is comfortable with his likely role at the World Cup, where he should act as a kind of “luxury godfather” among goalkeepers.
“I think my role is very clear. I will be the third goalkeeper, supporting the other goalkeepers and, if called upon, trying to do my best”, he stated.
New Zealand, worst-ranked team among the 48 World Cup participantswill face Iran, and Belgium in the group stage.
