Steve Wooddin
Encyclopedia
Steven "Steve" Wooddin is a former New Zealand
association football player who was a leading Striker during the country's successful campaign to qualify for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
in Spain
. A noted left-footed attacking player, he had a deadly ability to find the net.
, Wooddin started his club career at Tranmere Rovers in Birkenhead, where he made first team appearances before moving to New Zealand in 1977, joining Dunedin City. In 1981 he moved to Australia, playing three years for South Melbourne FC
in the NSL, before returning to his adopted country with Christchurch United
until his career was cut short by a recurring ankle injury in 1984. A Belgian First Division team had wanted to sign Wooddin after his capable performances at the 1982 World cup Finals in Spain
, but already hampered by injury, he failed the medical.
. He retained his place in the team which lost 2-1 to a Central Region selection two days later in Wellington
.
Despite the unconvincing results, Wooddin was selected for the next match, in August, against Mexico
in Auckland
. He scored the fourth goal in a 4-0 win that remains one of the most outstanding and unexpected results in New Zealand's international football history.
The following year saw New Zealand begin the long road to the 1982 World Cup Final. Wooddin was selected for all fifteen games in the ultimately successful campaign, scoring eight goals in the process, including trademark left foot shots into the bottom corner both home and away against Australia, against Kuwait
in the controversial 1-2 home loss, and in Riyadh
against Saudi Arabia
when the team recorded a stunning 5-0 victory. This last result led to a play-off against China
in Singapore
in January 1982, in which Wooddin again scored with a left-foot shot to open the scoring in his side's 2-1 win.
Wooddin was one of New Zealand
's only two scorers in the 1982 World Cup (along with Steve Sumner
), scoring the second goal in a 5-2 loss to Scotland
. He also started the subsequent matches against the Soviet Union and Brazil
.
In 1983 injuries reduced Wooddin to just two international appearances against Australia and Fiji
. He made his last two appearances for the All Whites against Fiji in October, 1984, scoring the winner in the first of these matches, before being forced to retire due to injured ankle ligaments with 24 A-internationals and 11 goals to his credit.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
association football player who was a leading Striker during the country's successful campaign to qualify for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. A noted left-footed attacking player, he had a deadly ability to find the net.
Club career
Born in Birkenhead EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wooddin started his club career at Tranmere Rovers in Birkenhead, where he made first team appearances before moving to New Zealand in 1977, joining Dunedin City. In 1981 he moved to Australia, playing three years for South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
in the NSL, before returning to his adopted country with Christchurch United
Christchurch United
Christchurch United is a semi-professional association football club in Christchurch, New Zealand. They compete in the Robbie's Premier Football League.-Club history:...
until his career was cut short by a recurring ankle injury in 1984. A Belgian First Division team had wanted to sign Wooddin after his capable performances at the 1982 World cup Finals in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, but already hampered by injury, he failed the medical.
International career
Wooddin was first selected for the New Zealand national football team the All Whites for a 16 May 1980, 1-1 draw against a Southern Region team in ChristchurchChristchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
. He retained his place in the team which lost 2-1 to a Central Region selection two days later in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
.
Despite the unconvincing results, Wooddin was selected for the next match, in August, against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. He scored the fourth goal in a 4-0 win that remains one of the most outstanding and unexpected results in New Zealand's international football history.
The following year saw New Zealand begin the long road to the 1982 World Cup Final. Wooddin was selected for all fifteen games in the ultimately successful campaign, scoring eight goals in the process, including trademark left foot shots into the bottom corner both home and away against Australia, against Kuwait
Kuwait national football team
The Kuwait National Football Team is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. They made one World Cup Finals appearance, in 1982, managing a draw with Czechoslovakia but losing to England and France. During the match against France, France scored a goal...
in the controversial 1-2 home loss, and in Riyadh
Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a...
against Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
when the team recorded a stunning 5-0 victory. This last result led to a play-off against China
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in January 1982, in which Wooddin again scored with a left-foot shot to open the scoring in his side's 2-1 win.
Wooddin was one of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's only two scorers in the 1982 World Cup (along with Steve Sumner
Steve Sumner
Steven Paul Sumner is an English-born, New Zealand football player, who was captain of the national team during the country's first successful campaign to qualify for the World Cup, in 1982.-Club career:...
), scoring the second goal in a 5-2 loss to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He also started the subsequent matches against the Soviet Union and Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
.
In 1983 injuries reduced Wooddin to just two international appearances against Australia and Fiji
Fiji national football team
The Fiji national football team is the national team of Fiji and is controlled by the Fiji Football Association. Their best finish in the OFC Nations Cup was third in 1998 and 2008.-World Cup record:*1930 to 1978 - Did not enter...
. He made his last two appearances for the All Whites against Fiji in October, 1984, scoring the winner in the first of these matches, before being forced to retire due to injured ankle ligaments with 24 A-internationals and 11 goals to his credit.