Central Coast Mariners midfield maestro Michael McGlinchey is currently in the Solomon Islands competing for the New Zealand All Whites at the OFC Nations Cup.
Central Coast Mariners midfield maestro Michael McGlinchey is currently in the Solomon Islands competing for the New Zealand All Whites at the OFC Nations Cup.
McGlinchey played full matches in the Kiwi-s first two Group B matches of the tournament to decide Oceania-s best side, and which four teams will advance to Round Three of FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
Round 3 of Oceania FIFA World Cup Qualifying is foreseen to take place in the period from 7 September 2012 to 26 March 2013, with the winner advancing to an intercontinental play-off.
On Saturday, McGlinchey-s New Zealand side won 1-0 against Fiji at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara.
Two days later, McGlinchey again played 90 minutes as the All Whites defeated Frank Farina-s Papua New Guinea outfit 2-1 at the same Stadium.
Today, McGlinchey was absent from Ricki Herbert-s second-string team that drew 1-1 with hosts Solomon Islands.
Despite the draw, New Zealand topped Group B and will now face New Caledonia in the semi-finals of the OFC Nations Cup on Friday.
Should the All Whites defeat Les Cagous in Friday-s meeting, Herbert-s team will challenge either Tahiti or Solomon Islands in Sunday-s OFC Nations Cup Final, giving McGlinchey the opportunity to bring a piece of international silverware back home to the Central Coast.
