De Jong back in action for New Zealand

Stellenbosch midfielder Andre de Jong made a return to the New Zealand national team on Thursday, getting his first run-out for the All Whites in more than two years.

He came on as a second-half substitute in the friendly international against Poland in Chorzow, which New Zealand lost 1-0.

It was a first cap for the 28-year-old in three years as De Jong has been surprisingly overlooked by New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley, despite his strong performances in helping the Winelands club finish third in the Betway Premiership last season and also reach the semifinal of the African Confederation Cup.

De Jong had 20 minutes to make an impression as he seeks to stake his claim for a berth in New Zealand’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

Poland took the lead just after halftime with a well-taken goal from captain Piotr Zieliński. The Inter Milan midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned neatly, and fired a rocket goalward, the ball cannoning in off the crossbar.

Speaking after the match, Bazeley was pleased with the overall performance but disappointed his side could not capitalise on their chances:

“It's tough to take, you know. I feel like I keep saying it, in the changing room with the players and then to the media. There are a lot of good things from the game. We do a lot of good things in and out of possession, and we have our moments.

“We have to be more clinical and ruthless, and we’ve got to start rewarding ourselves for some of the possession and play that we’re producing now,” he said.

De Jong will be hoping for an extended run when New Zealand take on Norway in Oslo on Tuesday.