All Whites forward Kosta Barbarouses was elated, emotional and proud above all else after helping end New Zealand’s 15-year wait to qualify for a FIFA Men’s World Cup on Monday night.
Barbarouses scored one goal and assisted another in the All Whites’ 3-0 win over New Caledonia in the Oceania Qualifiers Final at Eden Park.
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It’s just the third time New Zealand have qualified for a World Cup, ending a 15-year wait following the All Whites’ last appearance at the 2010 edition of the tournament in South Africa.
The Wellington Phoenix and Isuzu UTE A-League legend was just 20 years old when he was overlooked for selection in the All Whites 2010 World Cup squad.
New Zealand missed the next three World Cups, falling short in intercontinental playoffs against Mexico, Peru and Costa Rica in 2013, 2017 and 2022 respectively. Barbarouses played in each of those three unsuccessful qualification campaigns and, in 2022, was sent off in the second half of a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica.
From the pain of that night in Qatar came the elation of Monday night’s Oceania Qualifiers Final victory over New Caledonia, in which the 35-year-old All Whites veteran starred in a 3-0 win over New Caledonia to send his country through to the 2026 edition of the major tournament.
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After 54 goalless minutes at Eden Park, Barbarouses came off the bench to replace Premier League and All Whites star Chris Wood. New Zealand’s attacking threat had been stifled through nearly an hour of play against the World No.152 nation – but the dam wall eventually broke as the All Whites’ class shone through.
Michael Boxall put the hosts ahead in the 61st minute before Barbarouses scored, and then assisted New Zealand’s second and third goals of a 3-0 victory.
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Post-game, an emotional Barbarouses reflected on the 15 years that led to his pivotal contribution to the All Whites’ long drought finally coming to an end.
“This is my fifth attempt to get to a World Cup so I’m really emotional and very happy,” Barbarouses told FIFA+.
“I’ve sort of had flashbacks to the last 15 years. I’m very happy to contribute and get the team over the line. Look, we’re going to another World Cup – I’m ecstatic.
“I have to say perseverance on my end,” he added.
“One thing I do is I never give up and I always back myself. I know life and football is full of ups and downs; I’m just very happy I can help us get there and it means so much to me.”
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