All Whites goalkeeper Glen Moss has announced his retirement from international football after more than 11 years representing New Zealand.

The 35-year-old from the Newcastle Jets, who made his debut for New Zealand against Malaysia in 2006, played 29 A internationals and recorded eight clean sheets throughout an impressive career.

His final tour with the team was to Peru for the away leg of the FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff where the All Whites went down 2-0 to miss qualifying for Russia. Following that game he made his decision to hang up his boots. 

“It was not something that I took lightly. I had a good hard think about it and it is something that I have been thinking about over a period of time,” he said.  “After our qualifying game over in Peru I sat down and asked myself could I go another four years? I didn’t want to start the next four year cycle and decide halfway through that I couldn’t commit to the full cycle. I decided that four years was a bit much for me at this stage of my career and with my young family as well. I have a four-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter and that played a part as well. I am comfortable with the decision. When I think back on some of the highs and lows, I will look back with fond memories.”

Moss said the standout memories from his time in the All Whites were playing the big games against super-powers of world football like Brazil, Spain, Italy and Chile. 

“That is something that I have always relished – countries like that you can only dream of coming up against. I have the jerseys hanging on the wall at home from [Iker] Casillas from Spain and [Gianluigi] Buffon from Italy and Dida from Brazil so it is those big games that you think back on and to get to battle against those guys with some of your best mates is something I will never forget.”

He has great memories of the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 where he played in all three games and managed a clean sheet in New Zealand’s first ever point at a senior FIFA competition in the 0-0 draw with Iraq. Moss put his body on the line in a famous shot to the face which secured the result.

“I remember that face shot well,” he said with a laugh. “You kind of practice those ones in training a lot and they either hit you in the leg or the arm or the chest, but when you cop one right between the eyes like that in a FIFA tournament it doesn’t matter how you save them. That period from 2009 at the Confederations Cup and 2010 at the World Cup that was the best period for me to be part of the national side.”

Paul Gothard, the All Whites goal-keeping coach, said Moss will be missed both on and off the field.

“Mossy has been one of the country’s best keepers over the years and I have been lucky to work with him with the national team,” said Gothard. “He is a real professional on and off the field and it will be strange not having him around the side moving forward. I wish him all the best for the future and thank him for all he has done for the national team.”

Moss will miss most the camaraderie and mate-ship of being on tour with a great group of lads.

“I didn’t get to play in the 2010 World Cup but to be part of that group, it was a special team and that obviously showed through the performances to come away undefeated. The most important thing is to be part of a good group and every time we came together it was like no one had changed, whether you are Winston Reid playing in the Premiership or a Kiwi player in the local NZ competition. I always just loved being back with the boys.” 

Moss has decided to step away from the national team to prolong his club career and finish it off strongly. The Jets are flying in the A-League, they are currently second and right in the hunt for the minor premiership.

“My body takes a bit longer to recover these days from little injuries and I couldn’t ask to be in a better club environment than to finish off my club career at the Newcastle Jets.”

Moss said he leaves the All Whites in good shape with some young keepers – the likes of Michael Woud, Ollie Sail and Max Crocombe - all pushing incumbent Stefan Marinovic.

“I remember when I first came on board it was Jason Batty, Michael Utting and James Bannatyne. It was me and Pasty [Mark Paston] there for four or five years and we were the only regulars in the squad. Anthony

Hudson created some good depth. Stefan is the No 1 and there are a couple of young guys there who will be fighting hard for his spot. It is nice knowing that I can step away and there will be no issues in the goalkeeping department. There are two or three guys really fighting for that position for the next four years.” 

Glen Moss’ Career by the Numbers

29 A internationals (eight clean sheets)
One FIFA World Cup (2010)
Two FIFA Confederations Cups (2009 and 2017)
Clean sheet in New Zealand’s first ever point at a senior FIFA competition (0-0 vs Iraq, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup)
140 appearances for the Wellington Phoenix (33 clean sheets)
18^th double-centurion in A-League history
Six Professional clubs: New Zealand Knights, Dinamo Bucureşti (Romania), Wellington Phoenix, Melbourne Victory, Gold Coast United, Newcastle Jets