But apart from his sweet strike – which set New Zealand on the way to a famous win – Barbarouses arguably achieved a more important goal on Monday night. He put himself back in the spotlight and ended any doubts about his worthiness for a World Cup spot. The 36-year-old was everywhere across a 67-minute stint, with intelligent touches, link-up play and a keen press.
It was his best night in an All Whites jersey in a long time and at the optimal moment. Barbarouses was always going to be in the frame for Bazeley’s final Cup squad and everyone knows about his story from last time, when he was unlucky to miss out on Ricki Herbert’s final team.
But the 36-year-old has struggled at Western Sydney Wanderers this season (only four goals in 21 A-League games and none since mid-January ) and wanted to be going to North America on merit, rather than past reputation.
“This is a long, long dream of mine to become reality,” said Barbarouses. “I feel like we’re almost there and I’m giving it everything. I’m not leaving any stone unturned and [I’m] just driven and determined to get there. But also not just that, to have a good impact, you know.”
Barbarouses’ presence at this level is unlikely, given his age but he has maintained speed, fitness and sharpness well into his fourth decade.
“If you start to think and believe you’re old, then you are,” he said. “I want to keep going as long as I can. I don’t even think about age and when my body tells me it’s time, it’ll tell me, but it’s telling me now that I’m 21, so I want to keep that going.
“I still feel great out there,” he added, when the Herald asked how he defies the age barrier. “I look after myself outside of training and playing, and that’s 80% of the battle and then a bit of luck and still getting picked and being told that you’re still good value, so a bit of everything.”
Barbarouses and Port Vale centre forward Ben Waine are the main back-ups to Chris Wood, assuming the Nottingham Forest striker returns from injury without any issues. But either could yet to have a role to play at the World Cup, even if it is off the bench and coach Bazeley was impressed with the veteran.
“Kosta really did remind everybody who he is,” said Bazeley. “He’s very intelligent with his positioning out of possession and his work rate. I was so pleased when he scored. It was exactly what he needed and a great moment for him. We’ve got two players on the score sheet that can continue supporting us in that forward role – hopefully supporting Woodsy – when needed.”
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.
