THE PRESS, Christchurch Saturday, March 12, 2011 WEEKENDSPORT D3 FOOTBALL HOCKEY Rojas confirms Black Sticks lose to Japan Simon Plumb SCORERS Victory move Crashing 2-0 to Japan yester- New Zealand 0 Japan 2 day, a limp group of Black (Misato Katamine, Ai Matt Richens DAD’S OK However, he said that had Sticks looked miles from the Murakami). Halftime: 0-1. been overstated as the reason gutsy girls who so nearly won Marco Rojas has finally put Fresh from signing with the for his departure from Wel- Commonwealth gold five pen to paper and will, as Melbourne Victory, Marco lington. ‘‘I’ve got no com- months ago. before the 30min mark. But expected, play for the Mel- Rojas says his father, Rodi plaints over where I played With six first-team names again the Black Sticks were bourne Victory in the next Rojas, will always be his for the Phoenix. That’s where unavailable through injury guilty of sloppiness with Jan A-League. manager. the coach put me and as long and overseas club duty, New Burrows firing wide. Rojas, 19, officially became The 19-year-old yesterday as I was on the pitch, I wasn’t Zealand coach Mark Hager Hitting the target seemed a a member of the Victory on dismissed footballing worried.’’ gave opportunities to a batch major problem for Hager’s Thursday. He has signed for personalities who said his He said that until he of fringe players, including pack yesterday. two years, and The Press father was leading him into played, as a 16-year-old, in the debutantes Petrea Webster In comparison, the visitors understands he will receive trouble by taking him away then New Zealand Football and Bridget Blackwood. – who are two places below about A$135,000 (NZ$190,000) a from the Phoenix. Championship for Waikato But instead of seeing New Zealand in the world year. He was offered ‘‘He comes to me if there are FC as a wing, he had played in hunger from his largely rankings at ninth – harried, NZ$150,000 to stay with the offers or interest, we talk midfield and wanted to get inexperienced side, Hager harassed and looked danger- Phoenix, more than double about them. I say, ‘I think we back there eventually. witnessed a flat Kiwi perform- ous going forward. the $45,000 he was believed to should do this’ and he goes ‘‘That’s always been my ance littered with basic errors Japan always looked the have been paid last season. and sorts it out.’’ favourite position. I always and inconsistency. most likely scorers with New While it has been clear That was how the Melbourne enjoyed watching players in Struggling for possession, Zealand lucky to delay the Rojas would leave the Wel- deal happened, and in the that position – the likes of particularly in the first half, a breakthrough until just lington Phoenix for the Vic- end the decision had been [Lionel] Messi or Maradona.’’ sense of inevitability soon before halftime when Misato tory, the delay in signing was his, not his father’s, Rojas Rojas has copped flak for descended on the New Zea- Katamine put Japan into a the result of ironing out said. wanting to play in the middle landers’ plight. deserved lead. contract details, including a ‘‘As for what people have of the park where some When three penalty corn- Post-match, Hager admit- guarantee of playing time been saying about dad, believe his size will make him ers resulted in two attempts ted to verbally blasting his either within the first team or everyone’s got their own an easy target for defenders. lifted over the bar – and one troops during the break, a the Victory’s reserves. While opinion and I respect that, With both Messi and humiliating moment where management style rarely these matters have been but he’s been brilliant for me Maradona, being small, he’s the ball was fired directly adopted by the Australian, resolved by Rojas’s manager in all of this. I don’t think I aware size isn’t everything. back into their own half for a particularly with a young and father, Rodi Rojas, both would have done any better ‘‘I don’t think size has a lot Japanese counterattack – the team. have come under heavy with someone else.’’ to do with strength on the day was never going to end Unfortunately, an im- criticism for leaving the Even if the move to the ball,’’ he said. well. proved second-half perform- Wellington Phoenix. Victory opened up other The move to Melbourne At international level, fail- ance was let down by an early The diminutive, Hamilton- doors around the world, he has annoyed many Phoenix ing to hit the target from such lack of concentration which born Rojas got his chance would keep his footballing fans including some members opportunities will make the led to Ai Murakami dis- midway through this season business within the family, of the Phoenix’s official blood boil of even the calmest patching a penalty corner. and earned, then kept, a he said. supporters club, the Yellow of coaches. Two excellent saves from starting position in coach ‘‘I think he’ll always be my Fever, who think he owes But failing to even trap the Bianca Russell prevented the Ricki Herbert’s squad. go-to guy. Him being my dad them something after they ball is tantamount to a death Black Sticks from falling His rise reached another makes it even better introduced Rojas to the club. wish. further behind. high this week when he was because I trust him ‘‘I’d just like to thank the In a rare venture forward, The second match of a five- named in an extended completely.’’ Yellow Fever for their support Anita Punt showed pace down test series is in Hamilton national squad to take on and the opportunity they gave the right and crossed well just tomorrow. Japan and China. me. They’ll always have a Yesterday, Rojas said he be able to develop my game place with me because they took the criticism in his stride better there. helped me get my chance.’’ and said he was leaving for ‘‘I’m definitely not the On his two years with the TRIATHLON footballing reasons and not finished product and I think Phoenix, he said: ‘‘It’s been money, or any issue with the being at the Victory will help amazing, to start my profes- Phoenix. me get closer to that.’’ sional career in New Zealand, ‘‘I just want to continue my Rojas played on the wing to be near my family, to play Defence of title no development, to learn new for the Phoenix, but aspires to with such a great group of things and by going to be an attacking midfielder guys. I couldn’t have asked for Melbourne, my thought is, I’ll who can play off the strikers. more.’’ In form: Wellington Phoenix sensation Marco Rojas has signed with the Melbourne Victory. Photo: MAARTEN HOLL cakewalk for Hewitt SQUADS A year ago Andrea Hewitt and she struggled on the run. was travelling so well she Two days later, training in CANTERBURY UNITED: Tom stopped, planted a kiss on her Wanaka was the last thing on Selection puzzle for Dragons’ coach Batty (gk), Dan Terris (c), boyfriend in the home Hewitt’s mind as she franti- Gareth Rowe, Tom Schwarz, straight, high-fived the crowd cally tried to contact her Jeremy Wild, Nick Wortelboer, and cruised to her first parents, Margaret and John, Tony Smith He and assistants Andy their experience. Terris bench to score the winning kato and Otago. So we could Dominic McGarr, Glen Collins, national triathlon title. and sister Tina, all living in Pitman and Martin Stewart should slot back in at right goal on debut].’’ either sulk and feel sorry for Joe Murray, Aaron Clapham, If only it was that easy all north New Brighton when the Canterbury United coach will finalise their starting back while Collins and Mur- Braithwaite said the ourselves or go out there and Garry McDermott, Danny the time. earthquake struck. Keith Braithwaite hopes to lineup after ‘‘a light training ray will be starting conten- Dragons returned home to have a go and take it to them.’’ Attwell, Ryan Faichnie, Today in Wellington’s Travelling to Wellington to have three senior players session’’ today. ders in midfield. Christchurch at 11.30pm on The Dragons decided, col- Gagame Feni, Sam Miles, Andy Oriental Bay, the world No 6 watch their daughter race available for tomorrow’s ‘‘We’ve got a few players But Braithwaite may Thursday in good spirits after lectively, on the latter option Barton, Russell Kamo, Ken will defend her crown in the will be a welcome distraction Yamamoto, Andy Pitman. national league semifinal, but who have got some bumps equally decide to stick to a a victory against the odds that and Braithwaite said a simi- Oceania championships and and a emotional reunion. WAITAKERE UNITED: Danny he admits he faces a ‘‘big and bruises,’’ said Braith- winning combination which ‘‘spoke volumes for the lar approach would be needed Robinson (gk), Jason Rowley, Contact Tri Series finale and ‘‘I haven’t seen them since selection dilemma’’. waite who listed goalkeeper created more chances than character in this team’’. in the semifinal against Aaron Scott, Tim Myers, Jack knows she’ll have a scrap on the earthquake. I’ll go back The Canterbury Dragons Tom Batty and midfielders Auckland and also kept a He said All White Aaron Waitakere. Pelter, Martin Bullock, Chris her hands.