Surman, 22, is expected to start in defence for the All Whites in their World Cup opener against Iran on Tuesday, June 16, after playing in both of New Zealand’s World Cup warm-up matches - a 4-0 defeat to Haiti and a creditable 1-0 loss to England. The centre-back grew up in Prebbleton and played for Selwyn United as a youngster before moving to Wellington at 15 to join the Wellington Phoenix academy. He went on to play for the Phoenix in the Australian A-League and now turns out for American club Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer. “There’s a lot of pride. He’s still the same kid he was back in 2013.
You get what you work for and he’s worked extremely hard to be where he is.” Surman’s rapid rise saw him mark Argentina captain Lionel Messi – widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time - when Portland faced Inter Miami last month. Miami won the match 2-0. Said Padmore: “That’s the beauty of New Zealand, you can be playing a small country club, living in Prebbleton, and 10 years later you’re at a World Cup and mixing it with the best in the world.” Padmore backed Surman to make his mark in New Zealand’s group matches against Iran, Egypt and Belgium. The All Whites have never won a World Cup match. “It’s a great opportunity.
People forget he’s only 22 years old, so he’s still young in the grand scheme of things. “The best thing about Finn is he’ll go in at a level and always work his way to the next level. That’s what he did in the MLS and the A-League, and he’ll do the same at the World Cup.” Surman is not the only All White with Selwyn links. Left-back Francis de Vries spent time with Lincoln-based Asia Pacific Football Academy before coming through Cashmere Wanderers and attending Cashmere High School. The All Whites open their Group G World Cup campaign against Iran at 1pm on June 16 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
They then face Egypt on June 22 and Belgium on June 28 in Vancouver.
