Wood psyches up for game

IAIN McGREGOR/Waikato Times

WHITE HOT: All White Chris Wood takes a stroll through Marist Park during a holiday in his hometown of Hamilton earlier this year.

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Chris Wood oozes confidence.

It appears time in one of the soccer world's most scrutinised leagues will do that to a 17-year-old.

It's not an arrogance, but more of a humorous self-worth.

Wood is a long way from the 16-year old whose body at times looked too big for the clearly talented striker.

He's still a boy at 17, but thanks to playing in the English Premiership and Championship for West Bromwich Albion, four games for New Zealand and being about to play the biggest game of his career, Wood now knows his place and is just another All White.

Another All White about to take on Bahrain – in Wellington tomorrow night – for a place in soccer's Holy Grail, the World Cup finals.

He also has the talent to make him one of the country's best strikers ever.Wood will start on the bench tomorrow, but with the All Whites needing to score, the former St Paul's Collegiate, Hamilton Wanderers and Waikato FC striker thinks he will play a big part.

"It'd be amazing to score the winning goal," he said.

Wood hasn't just thought of the possibility, he knows how and when it's going to happen and thinks his strike will be the difference between the two sides.

"It's played in my mind a couple of times," he said with a smirk.

"It's actually a header, from a cross, so be looking for that on Saturday.

"From the right, from Leo [Bertos]. I'll have a quiet word with him."

Wood was then asked what minute his predicted winner will come in and without thought blurted out: "87th! I think [the score will be] 1-0."

It would be one hell of a story.

Last year Wood played in the Northern League for Wanderers and got picked up by the West Brom academy.

He impressed there, played for the reserves, scored on debut for them and even got a run in the English Premiership before West Brom were relegated.

That sparked All Whites coach Ricki Herbert's interest and Wood made his debut in the build-up to the Confederations Cup in Africa earlier this year.

Although Wood has the exuberance of youth on his side and seems relaxed ahead of tomorrow night, there was still a glimpse of nerves coming through when he talked about the importance of this game to him.

"This could be one of the biggest games I ever play; the stakes are so high, World Cup is one of the greatest things you can achieve in your footballing career."