Rising star Garbett looking on bright side after sapping Swedish relegation scrap
PROMISING New Zealand teenager Matthew Garbett had big goals for this year’s Under-20 World Cup after getting his first taste of European football during a challenging season with Swedish top-flight Allsvenskan club Falkenbergs FF.
But the 18-year-old forward was disappointed to discover on
Christmas Day, while completing his two-week stint in managed isolation, that the event had been cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, denying him and many other young footballers a chance to showcase their skills on the world stage.
‘‘I was hoping I could make a mark on the Under-20 World Cup and try to show myself because I’d say it’s where teams come to look at you. I was quite gutted but I think there will bemore national team opportunities to show myself,’’ he said.
Garbett was one of a handful of exciting young New Zealand players to make their European debuts in 2020, joining a group including Callum McCowatt, Joe Bell, Liberato Cacace, Marko Stamenic and Nando Pijnaker, after signing a three-year contract with Falkenbergs on the back of an eye-catching Under-17 World Cup campaign.
The Ole Football Academy product made 17 appearances across all competitions and scored one goal in his first season in the pro ranks, but was used predominantly as an impact player off the bench.
He said it was a difficult year – on and off the field.
Falkenbergs were relegated to the second division after winning just five of their 30 games to finish bottom of the table, while there was also a global pandemic to contend with.
Although Sweden’s lax Covid19 restrictions meant Garbett never had to experience any form of lockdown, the start of the season was delayed by three months, most games were played behind closed doors and his family was unable to travel to Sweden to visit.
‘‘I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and it was a lot different to what I’ve done previously in New Zealand,’’ he said. ‘‘Therewere a lot of ups and downs but I took more positives than negatives.
‘‘Being away from familywas a bit tough. Mymumwas meant to come over midseason but obviously that got cancelled. But
I was lucky that in Sweden there was no lockdown.
‘‘Getting relegated, I felt we could’ve survived, but that’s football and I hope this year I’ll get more opportunities.
‘‘A lot of people underestimate the second-tier in Scandinavia, but it’s actually pretty good especially the second-tier in Sweden.
‘‘I watched a few games last year and the quality is actually decent, there’s a lot of younger players that come out and end up going to bigger clubs in Scandinavia so hopefully that can be me.’’
Garbett is currently spending his off-season break at home in Wellington after escaping the harsh Scandinavian winter.
He is due to return to Sweden later this month and said he was looking forward to his second season with Falkenbergs, hoping to push for a place in the New Zealand under-23 squad ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
He is also on the All Whites radar, having been invited to attend a virtual end-of-season review last month.
‘‘I’m pushingmyself and I’m trying to show [coach] Danny [Hay] and the staff that I can play and start in that team,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m hoping I can push for a spot in that Olympic squad and also the men’s national team.’’
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and it was a lot different to what I’ve done previously in New Zealand.’ MATTHEW GARBETT