San Juan (Special Envoy).- At the time of San Juan’s departure, before the match against them at the Bicentenario Stadium on Friday at 6:00 p.m., the teams Argentina national team And New Zealand They met at Angel de la Paz Aragones Airport in Santiago del Estero. Locals stopped for a few minutes to take photos with some of the fans there and quickly boarded, but the beachgoers joined together to kill time. Have your own “party” in the small waiting room, with music and “picadito” on the speakers. They armed themselves with a cannon bought in the province. But while his teammates had fun making the wait more enjoyable, the team’s numbers, Jay Herdman, almost hidden, waited quietly.
The team’s number 10 is very shy and quiet off the pitch. His body bearing, much less padding than his peers, but once inside he fully reveals his personality and confidence. He is the current player, the highest attacking card of a team that has shown great patience in attacking at the right moments Vancouver Whitecaps In MLS He has used the opportunities he got. This was best demonstrated in the match against Uzbekistan When he scored one of the best goals in the Under-20 World Cup at Madre de Ciudades, the midfielder The result is beautiful Steals an out and plays it fast for him Avoided his marker with a clever spin and then unleashed an impossible right hand For the archer.
“I haven’t seen it yet, I’m going to sit in the locker room and watch it, but it’s a good shot”, Herdmann told LA NACION about his goal after the match. “Hopefully I can do another one in the next game,” he enthuses. Number 10 gives you an initial sense of introversion when you start talking: he starts with a soft tone, looking down, but over time he loosens up and reveals his “American” accent, the result of a curious life story in football. He was born in Invercargill, in the country he represents today, but his family heritage has less to do with New Zealand than with his father’s work, John is a cattle breeder. The English-born man has been a key figure in the development of women’s football in the country: he joined the confederation in 2003, and Between 2006 and 2011 he coached them back to the World Cup after a 16-year absence.Without missing an edition since then.
Your task CanadaThe country he moved to after the 2011 World Cup was even better. With the women’s team He won two consecutive Olympic bronzes in 2012 and 2016And after two years he took charge of the men’s team last year Leading to the first World Cup in 36 years Led by the first Canadian superstar in history, Alphonso Davis. Jay had the opportunity to join his father’s team, which was on the rise, and actually played for the North American team’s under-20 team, but later leaned towards the country of his birth: “New Zealand is in my heart. It was where I lived from my childhood., is special. And there are boys,” says Herdman, who says there was no family discussion to make his decision: “My dad let me choose, he had no say in itThat’s right”.
Jay’s position was to make his own way in football. Although yet to make his first-team debut for the Whitecaps, He is a highly regarded talent on the Canadian team and is already generating interest in Europe., something he inspired with his goal against Uzbekistan. That goal gave the team a guarantee.”Kiwi” 2-0 lead over the Asian champions, but the Uzbeks were rewarded by attacking their box throughout the second half. A 2-2 draw At the time of suspension, as a result, in any case, the maritime team is in a very comfortable position in Group A: second place, to Argentina (6 points), with 4 units.
The next challenge will be the most complex of all yet: to measure their iron defense against a home team with great attacking power. But Herdman is very confident that they can surprise: “Argentina are a good team, but we’re going to go into the match with confidence, especially if we continue to defend like we did.“, he highlighted, then explained how he thinks he can attack the team Javier Mascherano. “If Uzbekistan replaces him, I think We are a team of tall players who can create chances with crosses and balls. If we see the defense being neglected, we can try to make plays like that.”
Certainly, Herdman et al Junior White Caps They will have to face a strong factor that has always favored the Albiceleste throughout this World Cup: the home team. In two games in Santiago del Estero, Madre de Ciudades sold out its seats. 37 thousand fans They provided the contestants with drums, trumpets, clapping, loud chants and whistles. Herdman accepts the challenge: “I think it will inspire most of us and it will be a good experience”, he argued that the turnout in the country was much higher than they expected:12 thousand people came to see us alone, in addition to the 37,000 who stayed to play in Argentina. It will be special to play in front of so many people, but I think we’ll get to work”.
For these first two encounters, Jay had little to do In the presence of his father John on the field, who witnessed his son’s goal against the Asian champions. And in his statements to the official FIFA site, he revealed a detail that helps a lot to understand his stance on his son’s future: “At the beginning of my career as a coach I made a very important decision. I decided I wanted to be a father to my son. “When he asks me for advice, I tell him, be brave, have courage and enjoy the process,” he said. 10’s answer Kiwi He was consistent with his humility and introspection, and acknowledged what his father had done: “It was an honor to watch him at the World Cup and I hope he feels the same when he sees me.”.
“Typical beer advocate. Future teen idol. Unapologetic tv practitioner. Music trailblazer.”