June 10, 2010
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — With the curtain ready to fall on soccer’s biggest stage at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa this Friday, a former Lobo has been cast by his country to play a key role in its performance.
Andrew Boyens, a decorated defender at New Mexico from 2004-06 and current member of Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls, is in Johannesburg representing his native New Zealand as a member of its World Cup squad. He is a native of Dunedin, New Zealand.
Boyens took part in his first international friendly with the All Whites – nicknamed for their solid white jerseys – in May of 2007 against Wales and has 15 international caps to his credit. Boyens was also a member of New Zealand’s side that was narrowly defeated by Australia in their qualification tilt for the Athens Olympics.
“It’s always nice to see your name up there,” Boyens said to newyorkredbulls.com of his selection to New Zealand’s World Cup team. “I was fairly confident that I’d be involved in the 23-man squad. But, to see my name up there with the rest of the boys is a nice feeling.”
“It’s a pretty big honor,” men’s soccer head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “There aren’t too many collegiate players who represent their country at that level. We’re really proud of him and all that he’s achieved. It’s an incredible honor. Andy is a great representative of our program.”
“It’s exciting times,” Boyens said. “It’s the biggest tournament, not just football, but tournament in the world — and I’m pumped for it.”
Boyens saw action in all three of New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2007. He started against Italy in last year’s friendly, at the FIFA Confederations Cup against Spain and South Africa, and off the bench against Iraq. Boyens also featured as a substitute in the All Whites’ 1-0 win over Bahrain that locked up their berth to the World Cup.
New Zealand is in Group F with Paraguay, Slovakia and Italy, the defending World Cup Champions and traditional world power.
“Our group is strong, but there are a couple of teams that are beatable there,” Boyens said. “Obviously playing against Italy will be great. They’re the world champions and it will be nice to have that chance to beat them. We have to approach each game worried about ourselves more than them and hopefully we can do the job.”
Boyens left New Mexico having earned a slew of awards, including being named a two-time All-American, two-time MPSF Conference Player of the Year and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI. He scored 11 goals and had 6 assists in his three seasons as a Lobo.
“I spoke to Andrew right before departing for South Africa,” Fishbein said. “He was saying what an honor it is to represent his country. He said he really couldn’t explain how excited he is to get to play against some of the world’s best.”
New Zealand opens group play Tuesday, June 15 at 5:30 a.m. MT against Slovakia. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN3.com.