Goalkeeper postpones marriage after being called up to compete in the World Cup

Auckland FC goalkeeper Michael Woud had to postpone his wedding plans after being called up to New Zealand's World Cup squad, but said playing in football's biggest tournament was a good reason to cancel the ceremony.

Woud got engaged a year ago, when he had no idea he would be part of coach Darren Bazeley's plans for the World Cup. The goalkeeper planned to marry his fiancée, Zana Renton, precisely between June 11 and July 19, the dates of the competition held in North America.

This month, Bazeley confirmed Woud, who has six caps for the national team, as the third goalkeeper on the final 26-man roster, behind Max Crocombe and Alex Paulsen.

Even though he was not guaranteed to take the field during the World Cup, Woud stated that he received his fiancée's support in accepting the call-up.

"My fiancée was very supportive of this. It's not a bad reason to cancel a wedding - it only happens every four years. Let's just do it next year," the 27-year-old goalkeeper told New Zealand media.

Woud joins the national team after a turbulent period in the middle of the season, when he lost his starting position at Auckland.

He, however, quickly regained his place after Oliver Sail, chosen to replace him, suffered a knee injury in January and was cut from the remainder of the A-League season, as well as missing out on the chance to play in the World Cup.

The goalkeeper took advantage of the new opportunity and played an important role in Auckland's unprecedented achievement in the A-League.

After making the only save in the penalty shootout in the playoff victory over Melbourne City, Woud kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory over Sydney FC in the final last weekend, helping Auckland become New Zealand's first club to champion the Australian elite.

Woud said he is comfortable with his likely role at the World Cup, where he should act as a kind of "luxury godfather" among the goalkeepers.

"I think my role is very clear. I will be the third goalkeeper, supporting the other goalkeepers and, if called upon, trying to do my best", he said.

New Zealand, the lowest-ranked team among the 48 World Cup participants, will face Iran, Egypt and Belgium in the group stage.

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Source: CNN