Image: Northcote City
In the space of the next two months, Northcote City’s new Kiwi midfielder Moses Dyer might be rubbing shoulders on the pitch against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Javier Hernandez and reigning World Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.
But while recognition on the international stage remains on Dyer’s agenda, his immediate focus is with his new employers Northcote City who are riding high at the summit of the NPL2 West standings.
A recent arrival to Zeljko Kuzman’s well-balanced squad, the 20-year-old has settled in well into his new surroundings at John Cain Memorial Reserve as Hercules aims to bounce straight back into the top flight of Victorian football after suffering relegation last year.
Having made his debut for City in the final 10 minutes of their 1-1 draw against the Moreland Zebras in the previous week, the Auckland-born youngster was thrust into the action after being named in the starting 11 for Northcote’s blockbuster clash against East front-runners Dandenong City.
Dyer impressed in midfield and was tireless throughout the 90 – his performance rewarded with a fantastic goal on debut as he unleashed with his left foot from 20 yards and buried his low shot into the corner of the net for the game’s opener.
Brimming with confidence and a desire to succeed, the box-to-box midfielder was modest about his performance post-match while also casting some of his initial impressions of Northcote and the standard of football he has been exposed to so far.
“I thought I played okay and have areas to improve on but that will come in the coming weeks as I play more with the team and get fitter. Otherwise I’m happy for the boys for grinding out the win in what was a solid performance,” Dyer said.
“All the lads have welcomed me really well and I’m enjoying my time here. I’d say the standard so far has been on par with the ASB Premiership so it is a really strong league and I’m happy to be here.”
His coach Kuzman spoke about the dangers of adding a new player into a settled winning squad but is happy with the quality Dyer has brought into the dressing room with the youngster a firm favourite amongst his teammates.
“It’s always dangerous adding someone to a settled squad – they’ve got to be pretty special to contribute. We didn’t play him in the FFA Cup against Mooroolbark and put him on for about 10 minutes against the Moreland Zebras – I think it’s important to get him familiar with the squad and the way we want to play. Tonight was the perfect night to unleash him and he’s rewarded the decision.”
Dyer feels right at home at the 2013 VPL Champions who have won nine out of their opening 11 league games as they prepare for an away trip to the border this weekend to face the improving Murray United before next Wednesday’s FFA Cup Round 6 clash away to the Port Melbourne Sharks.
From there onwards, the full New Zealand international is expected to board a flight back home to meet up with his Under 20s teammates before jet-setting to South Korea for the Under 20 World Cup.
Having already represented the Junior All Whites at the 2015 edition of the tournament which New Zealand hosted, Dyer is looking forward to being one of the side’s most experienced players next month when Darren Bazeley’s men take on the likes of France, Honduras and Vietnam.
“It’s going to be crazy as I could be on the international stage and hopefully do well there at the Under 20 World Cup,” said an excited Dyer. “I’d love to then get picked for the first team for the Confederations Cup.”
After making his senior debut for the All Whites days after his 18th birthday in a friendly against South Korea in March 2015, Dyer has made a further three appearances for the senior side and was part of their most recent squad last month for the World Cup qualifiers against Fiji.
He reinforced his desire to play some part in Russia where the All Whites face the hosts in the tournament opener before taking on CONCACAF Champions Mexico and Euro 2016 winners Portugal while also commenting on what it’s like to play with some of New Zealand’s best footballers.
“It’s a different level and I’m just honoured to be playing with those players at the highest level. Chris Wood is banging in goals in the Championship for Leeds while Marco Rojas is doing really well here in the A-League.”
“Playing with someone like Winston Reid who is captain at West Ham is a massive step up from what I’m used to and that is what driving me to push and go further.”
With the Wellington Phoenix being the only professional outfit across the Tasman, Dyer spoke of the difficulties Kiwi footballers run into while attempting to forge a professional career, with his own plight made more difficult by the fact that he doesn’t have a European passport.
“It’s very hard because we’ve only got one professional team which I think is crazy and needs to change for the betterment of New Zealand football,” said the 20-year-old.
“Otherwise I’ve only got a Kiwi passport which makes me a foreign player wherever I go, so obviously it’s hard but as long as I keep pushing and working hard I can hopefully make it as a professional.”
Having had his first taste of European action aged 14 in 2011 when he was a part of Onehunga Sports Manchester United Premier Cup squad, Dyer is hopeful of making a name for himself in Europe, with eye-catching displays in Korea and potentially Russia the key to achieving that goal.
“I want to be a professional footballer in Europe. Playing in France wouldn’t be too bad especially somewhere like Monaco,” joked Dyer, who is clearly a fan of Leonardo Jardim’s impressive Champions League semi-finalists side.
His good friend and international teammate Bill Tuiloma is currently plying his trade for Monaco’s Mediterranean rivals Marseille, with the duo part of a growing trend of emerging Kiwi players with Maori or Islander backgrounds who have chosen the round ball game over the oval-shaped rugby ball.
“To be honest when I was growing up all the best players were brown boys and I’m a brown boy myself. All my mates and everyone in New Zealand I know practically plays league or union but I love football and chose it over rugby when I was in high school as I kept getting better at it.”
While understanding and supportive of his international commitments, Kuzman is hoping to maximise Dyer’s use over the course of the season as Hercules looking to continue their momentum in NPL2.
“[Due to possible international duty] we’ll try and maximise his usage while he’s in the country. It’s a privilege to have him, to be honest. He’s a good young talented boy with lots of potential and energy and we’re pleased we’ve been able to have him in the squad.”
With FIFA’s recent decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026 meaning the All Whites will most certainly automatically qualify for future editions of the tournament, the next decade or promises to be a big one for football across the ditch.
Although Dyer’s long-term goal is to one day play in Europe and represent his country in the game’s showpiece event, he is determined to make his time at Northcote count as he looks to improve his game with one of the state’s most in-form sides.