Belgian recruit shines for New Zealand football team

The pre-match hype centred on Sydney FC’s star signing Alessandro Del Piero, but it was Wellington Phoenix’s recent signing, former Belgium international Stein Huysegems, who impressed in their 2-0 A-League win on Saturday, scoring the Phoenix’s first goal two minutes before half-time, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Huysegems, 30, who has 15 caps for Belgium, most recently in 2009, and has played for Dutch teams AZ, Feyenoord and FC Twente, hadn’t played a competitive match since May but managed a solid 85 minutes. He admits his recent lack of game time, due to a contract dispute between Belgian clubs Genk and Lierse, has meant a drop in match fitness, but believes it’s only a matter of time before he’s back to his best. Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert says Huysegems’ performance was promising. “I thought he was terrific – he’s got a great touch, he linked everything tonight and he took his goal well,” he said.

Read the full story on the Sydney Morning Herald’s website.