Ex-Kedah star receives FIFA Confederations Cup call-up

“Age is nothing but a number.”

35 year-old ex-Kedah FA striker Shane Smeltz has been handed a national call-up by New Zealand for the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

SQUAD I Here is the 23 man squad #AllWhites coach Anthony Hudson will be taking for the build-up to the FIFA #ConfedCup. Good luck fellas. pic.twitter.com/evwK9weLIF

— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 26, 2017

Smeltz, who currently plies his trade in Borneo FC, will be tasked with spearheading the All Whites’ offensive department, alongside Wellington Phoenix’s Kosta Barbarouses, Leeds United’s Chris Wood as well as Ipswich Town’s Monty Patterson.

Having famously scored against Italy at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Smeltz is currently the second-highest goalscorer in the history of New Zealand’s national team, having bagged 24 goals in 52 matches.

He was a pivotal part of Kedah’s Malaysia Cup winning squad last year, netting a grand total of 11 goals in 18 appearances, besides forming a prolific partnership with Thiago Augusto.

New Zealand have been placed in Group A for the tournament, alongside hosts Russia, Euro 2016 champions Portugal as well as 2015 CONCACAF Cup winners Mexico. They are slated to open their campaign against Russia at the Krestovsky Stadium on the 17th of June.

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