11 Oct 2010

Down-trou a sign of new All Whites confidence

7:59 am on 11 October 2010

Chris Wood scored his first goal for New Zealand, the All Whites' only score in Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw with Honduras at North Harbour Stadium - and the young West Brom striker then showed some real cheek in a unique goal celebration.

After heading home a Jeremy Brockie cross the confident 18-year-old, who's on loan to English Championship side Barnsley, pulled down his playing shorts to reveal underwear with his name on the rear.

Wood was booked for his display but he'd be more disappointed not to notch a hat-trick given the chances he had.

And his strike partner Shane Smeltz also failed to win it at the death, missing an extra-time penalty.

All Whites skipper Ryan Nelsen was in a forgiving mood afterwards however, joking that the team were entertainers and were leaving it til the last minute - though "Smeltzy didn't get the script".

The Blackburn veteran says it was an entertaining game and the crowd got their money's worth, including the down-trou from young Wood. Nelsen says that was great to see - the confidence, not Wood's underwear.

Paraguay, who lost 1-0 to Australia in Sydney on Saturday, have arrived here for Tuesday's match in Wellington.