Football: NZ U-20s 'not afraid of pressure'

Joel Stevens.
Joel Stevens.
Joel Stevens is a staunch southern man but he is as excited as a schoolboy whose birthday party is just about to start.

Stevens is the point of interest in the New Zealand under-20 squad for football fans in the South.

The speedy striker has been gone for a couple of years now, chasing his football dreams as a member of the Wellington Phoenix Academy, but he remains a proud Otago man.

Plenty can claim him, too.

He was schooled at Kaikorai Valley College and Otago Boys' High School, he played his early football for Caversham and Melchester and later emerged as a player of rare promise at the Green Island club, and he played for Otago (now Southern) United in the national league.

Now it is time to announce his talents to the world.

''The whole team is pretty excited now,'' Stevens told the Otago Daily Times from Auckland.

''We've been preparing for this for a long time. Everyone has been working really hard and everyone's excited that it's finally happening.

''It's feeling very real, and everyone is coming together and starting to gel really well.''

Stevens (left) in action for the Melchester seventh grade team in Dunedin in 2002. Photo by ODT.
Stevens (left) in action for the Melchester seventh grade team in Dunedin in 2002. Photo by ODT.
Normally, New Zealand age group football teams toil away in relative obscurity in whichever far-flung nation is hosting the world tournament.

There will naturally be extra pressure as host this time, but Stevens said the Junior All Whites were not afraid of that.

''I think there will be some more spotlight on us. Everyone will be supporting us and hoping we do well.

''But at the same time, there will be attention on a lot of different teams. It's such a big tournament. Everyone wants to see Germany or Brazil or those countries play.

''We're expecting tough games from every other team. But I hope they're expecting a tough game from us as well.

''We'll really have that never-say-die attitude. The guys just want to work hard, play some good football and sort of get in the opposition's faces.''

New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley told the Otago Daily Times earlier this month he rated Stevens highly for his ability to ''bring something different'' to his team.

That was news to the willowy striker.

''The coach hasn't told me anything,'' Stevens laughed.

''Maybe it's a change of pace. I'm not technically the best player but I'll work my heart out.''

Stevens was eagerly awaiting the arrival of parents Debbie and Craig for the opening game - he has not seen his family since Christmas.

He was also pleased to have recovered from the nasty shoulder injury he sustained while earning one of his two full caps for the All Whites.

''It's come along quite well. I've been doing a lot of work, and I've got a brace on it, so hopefully it won't pop out any time soon.

''My match sharpness is slowly getting there, so we'll see how I last.''

Stevens is rooming with fellow forward Andrew Blake during the tournament.

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