Colvey achieves lifelong dream

KIP Colvey cannot wait to make his debut for the All Whites at the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea.
The 22-year-old defender, who plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer, is looking forward to joining up with the squad and building towards the tournament which will be staged in Port Moresby from May 28 to June 11.
Colvey was one of four debutants named by All Whites coach Anthony Hudson in his 23-man squad, alongside Luke Adams (South Melbourne FC), Max Crocombe (Oxford United) and Monty Patterson (Ipswich Town FC).
“It’s a huge honour,” said Colvey from California.
“It’s every child’s dream to play for their country.
“It has been a dream of mine ever since I started playing soccer.
“I am looking forward to playing and getting my first cap and hopefully we can do well and win the Nations Cup.”
Hudson has been very impressed with the work of Colvey in the MLS and feels he is ready to make a name for himself on the world stage.
“These guys have flown under the radar,” Hudson said.
“Colvey is a player that no one had even heard about until he signed for San Jose, but in PNG last year with the Under-23s, he really was outstanding.
“He is a proper player.
“He is someone that we have been really excited about getting into the team.
“We know that the players we have brought are ready to do a job for the team.”
Colvey said it would be a huge thrill to be in the same team as the likes of Rory Fallon, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood, Kosta Barbarouses and Michael McGlinchey. “I grew up watching the All Whites play and looked up to those guys,” he said.
The All Whites travel to Brisbane on Saturday for a training camp, where they will play three training games ahead of the Nations Cup at the end of the month.
The winner of the Nations Cup qualifies for the Confederations Cup in Russia next year.