All Whites adventure ends for Durante
Andrew Durante did not think it required an official statement.
But here it is. The Wellington Phoenix captain has played his final game for the All Whites, the 35-year-old centre-back confirming his retirement from international football.
He broke the news to his teammates after the All Whites’ 2-0 defeat to Peru and he broke the news to media yesterday, one day before the Phoenix’s A-league match against Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium.
‘‘After the game I said to the players it was my last international so I won’t be continuing on,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a whole new cycle coming in now and I will be 40 playing at the next World Cup so I decided it was my time to go.’’
After switching his allegiance from Australia to New Zealand, Durante, who once sat on the bench for the Socceroos, made his All Whites debut against Solomon Islands in 2013 and went on to make 24 appearances for his adopted country.
Looking back on a solid international career, Durante said the biggest games on the biggest occasions, most notably the intercontinental playoffs against Mexico and Peru, and the Confederations Cup, were his fondest memories.
‘‘I’ve just loved it,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve been honoured and proud that everyone has accepted me into the All Whites the way that they have. I feel like I have fit in seamlessly since day one.
‘‘It was an awesome time. I got to visit so many different countries and cultures and I’m just proud to have represented the silver fern.’’
Durante’s final act for New Zealand came in the defeat to Peru, a result that ended his hopes of playing at a World Cup. He said that was the toughest part of retiring, knowing he would never play on the biggest stage of all.
‘‘It’s always going to be an empty feeling inside my career but I thought we did really well over
there. We gave it a good crack against a very good team but it wasn’t to be.’’
With a ‘‘wider range’’ of talented players coming through, Durante said he believed the future was bright for the All Whites and he urged New Zealand Football to find someone who could ‘‘equal the passion and drive’’ of outgoing coach Anthony Hudson.
After missing Wellington’s 5-2 romp over Perth Glory due to their All Whites commitments, Durante and Michael Mcglinchey will return to the fold for their clash with Central Coast today.
A win would mean a lot to either team, with the Phoenix and Mariners sitting at the foot of the table.