Kiwi keeper shines on debut for Wimbledon
All Whites goalkeeper Nik Tzanev won praise from his AFC Wimbledon manager for a ‘‘terrific’’ English Football League debut.
The 22-year-old was a late callup for Wimbledon’s 2-1 home loss to Rotherham in the League One third tier yesterday.
Tzanev was needed after Wimbledon’s new loan signing – West Ham United academy keeper Nathan Trott – was ruled out with a groin injury.
‘‘I thought Nik was terrific,’’ Wimbledon manager Wally Downes said.
‘‘He came in and he was commanding. He made a great save early on and a good save towards the end. His kicking was terrific and I was really pleased for the boy.
‘‘We knew that Nathan had a slight groin strain.
‘‘He’s had a scan and the West Ham medical people are looking at it. We will go further forward next week.’’
Tzanev said on Twitter it was ‘‘an unreal experience’’, making his debut, and he thanked the ‘‘amazing support’’ from the 4657 fans at Wimbledon’s Kingsmeadow home ground.
Wellington-born Tzanev moved to England with his family as a 10-year-old.
The 1.95m keeper joined Wimbledon in 2017 after a couple of years in the academy at Brentford, a Championship (second tier) club following earlier stints at Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
He spent part of last season on loan to non-league club Potter’s Bar Town.
Tzanev first caught the eye of Kiwi football fans with two appearances for New Zealand at the 2015 Under-20 World Cup finals held in New Zealand.
He made his All Whites debut against Chinese Taipei in 2018.
Meanwhile, former All Whites centreback Steven Old received a yellow card in Morecambe’s 2-0 home loss to Grimsby Town in League Two, England’s fourth tier.
All Whites midfielder Clayton Lewis was not in the match-day squad for Scunthorpe United’s 2-0 League Two loss to Swindon Town.