Three members of the World Cup-bound All Whites have made the shortlist to be named Oceania soccer's player of the year.
Captain Ryan Nelsen, striker Shane Smeltz and defender Ivan Vicelich are among 10 finalists for the 2009 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) player of the year awards.
The winner will be announced during an OFC Congress in Johannesburg, South Africa, this month.
Smeltz and Nelsen have won the award in the past, Smeltz in 2007 and 2008, and Nelsen in 2006.
The awards focus on the performances of players for a 12-month period from January, 2009, taking in New Zealand's qualification for this month's World Cup in South Africa.
Other contenders for the title are Fijian Kamal Hassan, Pierre Wajoka, of New Caledonia, David Muta, of Papua New Guinea, Elliot Ragomo and Robert Laua, both of the Solomon Islands, Tahiti's Marama Vahirua and Seule Soromon, of Vanuatu.
As well, six New Zealanders are among the 10 finalists for the women's player of the year award.
Football Ferns Amber Hearn, Hayley Moorwood, Ali Riley, Rebecca Smith, Kirsty Yallop and 2009 winner Rosie White are up against Angela Sa'o, of American Samoa, Regina Mustonen, of the Cook Islands, Fijian Eni Tinai and Tonga's Salome Sela Va'enuku.
