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24.07.2008
Killen (Celtic & Nouvelle-Zélande) vise l'or aux JO de Pekin
CHRIS Killen scored Celtic’s first goal of pre-season in the first outing for the team in their new gold away kit, and the New Zealand striker will have gold on his mind in the coming weeks as he competes with his country at the Olympic Games in China.
As athletes from all over the world descend on Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, footballers from 16 nations will be present, including Killen, and for the proud Kiwi, it’s the chance of a lifetime and he’s in good company.
Among those competing will be Brazilians Ronaldinho, Robinho and Anderson, and Argentineans Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Mascherano.
Along with team-mate Evander Sno, who will play for the Netherlands in China, they will make history by being the first Celtic players to represent their country at the Olympics, although the late great Ronnie Simpson was Britain’s goalkeeper at the 1948 games, while playing with Queen’s Park.
“It will be an unbelievable experience,” said Killen, whose New Zealand side have been drawn in a group containing favourites Brazil, Belgium and China at the tournament, which runs from August 6 to 23.
“It’s not just another couple of internationals – it’s the Olympic Games. To represent New Zealand in China will be a proud moment for me," he told the Celtic View.
“We’re normally known as the All Whites, but for this tournament we’re being called the Oly-Whites. My mum is keeping me up to date with what’s happening and she says there is growing interest.
“It’s an Under-23 tournament but you are allowed three over-age players and that will be myself, Simon Elliott and Ryan Nelsen from Blackburn. Hopefully we can do well.”
Standing in the way of New Zealand in the group stages is the formidable force of Brazil. True to form, the South Americans have included a galaxy of Samba stars. Along with Ronaldino, Robinho and Anderson, Liverpool’s Lucas and AC Milan’s Alexandre Pato will also be involved.
The Oly-Whites take on Brazil on August 10 and Killen is as excited as anyone about the prospect of testing himself against such illustrious opponents.
“We know it won’t be easy in the group,” he said. “Brazil have included a lot of star names but any Brazilian team you play is full of world-class players.
“It will be great to play them. I faced their full international team a few summers ago, so I’m quite familiar with them now. It will be a great occasion and having Brazil in the group makes it even better.
“Just getting to represent New Zealand at the Olympics is special. I’ve always said that I’ll play for my country at every possible opportunity.
“Don’t get me wrong, I know this isn’t where you make your living. I want to play for Celtic and do well, but I couldn’t pass up this chance.”
Killen also views the Olympics as the perfect opportunity to really put football on the map of a country dominated by rugby union, rugby league and cricket.
“I think it’s vital that we take a really strong squad to the Olympics,” he said. “We are a small country, but we wanted to have our best players available.
“We are a very proud sporting nation and there’s been a lot of hype back home about the Olympics. It means a lot to the people and there’s been a lot of interest in the football side.
“It’s a popular sport back home, but it’s probably not recognised as much as other sports, like rugby. Funding probably hasn’t been as good as it could have been, but we’ve had some great results over the last few years and people are starting to take notice.”
After a good pre-season, Killen hopes to be flying by the time he gets to Beijing. Last season, he was hampered by an achilles injury from the start of the season and, by his own admission, never really recovered from it.
This time around, he’s been able to take part in all pre-season sessions and is feeling the benefit of that. The competitive games he will get at the Olympics will only aid his overall sharpness.
“Pre-season has been really good for me,” he said. “It was unfortunate that I wasn’t fully fit when I arrived last season.
“I struggled with my achilles from the start and it was a problem for me throughout the whole campaign. I worked hard over the summer and I’ve returned a lot fitter than last year.
“I’m hoping that this season will be different. I got a good pre-season under my belt and hopefully these games at the Olympics will help me even more.
“My targets are just to play as much as possible. I want to put myself in the manager’s thoughts and show him that I’m fit and ready to go.
“After that, it’s up to me to do well for New Zealand and take it on from there. Every season is a fresh start and that’s the way I have to look at it.
“The manager will bring in new players, but he also wants to see how the boys are coming back for the new season. Things change and hopefully you might see a bit more of me in a Celtic strip this season.”
As athletes from all over the world descend on Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, footballers from 16 nations will be present, including Killen, and for the proud Kiwi, it’s the chance of a lifetime and he’s in good company.
Among those competing will be Brazilians Ronaldinho, Robinho and Anderson, and Argentineans Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Mascherano.
Along with team-mate Evander Sno, who will play for the Netherlands in China, they will make history by being the first Celtic players to represent their country at the Olympics, although the late great Ronnie Simpson was Britain’s goalkeeper at the 1948 games, while playing with Queen’s Park.
“It will be an unbelievable experience,” said Killen, whose New Zealand side have been drawn in a group containing favourites Brazil, Belgium and China at the tournament, which runs from August 6 to 23.
“It’s not just another couple of internationals – it’s the Olympic Games. To represent New Zealand in China will be a proud moment for me," he told the Celtic View.
“We’re normally known as the All Whites, but for this tournament we’re being called the Oly-Whites. My mum is keeping me up to date with what’s happening and she says there is growing interest.
“It’s an Under-23 tournament but you are allowed three over-age players and that will be myself, Simon Elliott and Ryan Nelsen from Blackburn. Hopefully we can do well.”
Standing in the way of New Zealand in the group stages is the formidable force of Brazil. True to form, the South Americans have included a galaxy of Samba stars. Along with Ronaldino, Robinho and Anderson, Liverpool’s Lucas and AC Milan’s Alexandre Pato will also be involved.
The Oly-Whites take on Brazil on August 10 and Killen is as excited as anyone about the prospect of testing himself against such illustrious opponents.
“We know it won’t be easy in the group,” he said. “Brazil have included a lot of star names but any Brazilian team you play is full of world-class players.
“It will be great to play them. I faced their full international team a few summers ago, so I’m quite familiar with them now. It will be a great occasion and having Brazil in the group makes it even better.
“Just getting to represent New Zealand at the Olympics is special. I’ve always said that I’ll play for my country at every possible opportunity.
“Don’t get me wrong, I know this isn’t where you make your living. I want to play for Celtic and do well, but I couldn’t pass up this chance.”
Killen also views the Olympics as the perfect opportunity to really put football on the map of a country dominated by rugby union, rugby league and cricket.
“I think it’s vital that we take a really strong squad to the Olympics,” he said. “We are a small country, but we wanted to have our best players available.
“We are a very proud sporting nation and there’s been a lot of hype back home about the Olympics. It means a lot to the people and there’s been a lot of interest in the football side.
“It’s a popular sport back home, but it’s probably not recognised as much as other sports, like rugby. Funding probably hasn’t been as good as it could have been, but we’ve had some great results over the last few years and people are starting to take notice.”
After a good pre-season, Killen hopes to be flying by the time he gets to Beijing. Last season, he was hampered by an achilles injury from the start of the season and, by his own admission, never really recovered from it.
This time around, he’s been able to take part in all pre-season sessions and is feeling the benefit of that. The competitive games he will get at the Olympics will only aid his overall sharpness.
“Pre-season has been really good for me,” he said. “It was unfortunate that I wasn’t fully fit when I arrived last season.
“I struggled with my achilles from the start and it was a problem for me throughout the whole campaign. I worked hard over the summer and I’ve returned a lot fitter than last year.
“I’m hoping that this season will be different. I got a good pre-season under my belt and hopefully these games at the Olympics will help me even more.
“My targets are just to play as much as possible. I want to put myself in the manager’s thoughts and show him that I’m fit and ready to go.
“After that, it’s up to me to do well for New Zealand and take it on from there. Every season is a fresh start and that’s the way I have to look at it.
“The manager will bring in new players, but he also wants to see how the boys are coming back for the new season. Things change and hopefully you might see a bit more of me in a Celtic strip this season.”
NEW ZEALAND – OLYMPIC GAMES SCHEDULE
GROUP C
August 7 – New Zealand v China (Shenyang, 7.45pm)
August 10 – New Zealand v Brazil (Shenyang, 5pm)
August 13 – New Zealand v Belgium (Shanghai, 7.45pm)
Quarter-finals take place on August 16, with the semi-finals on August 19. The third/fourth place play-off is on August 22. The final takes place in Beijing on August 23.
August 7 – New Zealand v China (Shenyang, 7.45pm)
August 10 – New Zealand v Brazil (Shenyang, 5pm)
August 13 – New Zealand v Belgium (Shanghai, 7.45pm)
Quarter-finals take place on August 16, with the semi-finals on August 19. The third/fourth place play-off is on August 22. The final takes place in Beijing on August 23.
source: celticfc.net
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