Richard Wilson (soccer)

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Richard Wilson (born 8 May 1956) was a New Zealand soccer player, who was a goalkeeper during the country's only successful campaign to qualify for the World Cup, in 1982. His international career spanned from 1979 to 1987, and played in the National Soccer League in Australia until 1989. He returned to New Zealand in 1996 and is now player-coach of minor-league side Avon.

Despite being the only goalkeeper used during the 1982 World Cup qualifying campaign, he was replaced as goalkeeper for the finals tournament in Spain by Frank van Hattum. For a considerable time, Wilson held the record for a goalkeeper in any World Cup qualifying or finals tournament, having not conceded a goal in 921 minutes of soccer, including matches against Fiji (twice), China-Taipei (twice), Indonesia (twice), China P.R. (twice) and Australia (once)^[1].

His record clean sheet came to a dramatic end during a World Cup home qualifying fixture against Kuwait. Kuwait were controversially awarded a penalty by the Indonesian referee. Wilson spectacularly saved the spot kick only to have a further penalty awarded against New Zealand 10 minutes later. The second penalty found the back of the net bringing to an end Wilson's record. The taking of the second penalty was delayed for some minutes after an irate fan ran onto the field to remonstrate with the referee.^[2]

[edit] Club history

Nelson United (1979)
Canberra City (Australia) (1980)
Preston Makedonia (Australia) (1981-1982) and (1984-1985)

[edit] External links

Richard Wilson FIFA competition record
New Zealand 1982 World Cup squad

[edit] References

v • d • e New Zealand squad - 1982 FIFA World Cup

1 Wilson • 2 Dods • 3 Herbert • 4 B. Turner • 5 Bright • 6 Almond • 7 Rufer • 8 Cole • 9 Wooddin • 10 Sumner • 11 Malcolmson • 12 Mackay • 13 Cresswell • 14 Elrick • 15 Hill • 16 Adam • 17 Boath • 18 Simonsen • 19 McClure • 20 G. Turner • 21 Pickering • 22 van Hattum • Coach: Adshead