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Aussie-Born Football Wanderer Makes International Debut For A Kiwi Team That Should Really Change its Nickname

Chesterfield's Liam Graham starred on debut for New Zealand in Nashville & could be set for a regular international future.
Youtube

On the face of it, a game between the 'All Whites' and Mexico seems like a nightmare straight out of an unhinged Trump crazy alt-right future.

Fortunately, the fact aligned nowhere near the first-glance fright when New Zealand – who, let's be honest ate, have a pretty cringe-worthy team nickname – and Mexico at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sunday morning NZT.

The Kiwis won plenty of plaudits in their 2-1 loss to the Central American powerhouse, with a defensive effort led by West Ham star Winston Reid – playing in his first international since last September.

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And while Reid's Premier League influence was undeniable, the performance of right back Liam Graham, in his international debut, is worthy of attention.

Graham – who plays for English League One club Chesterfield – was dependable on his side of defence; shutting down any and all Mexicon forays down their left flank with pose and controlled aggression.

He'll be a likely starter when the Kiwis play the United States in Washington, tomorrow morning NZT.

A month ago, Graham – who was born in Melbourne by qualifies for New Zealand through his Kiwi mum – was on the outer at Chesterfield and was seriously thinking that his footballing future could be limited.

How fast things change, in sport.

Highlights of New Zealand 2-1 loss to Mexico in Nashville yesterday. Source: Youtube.

"The last few months have gone pretty quick," Graham tells VICE Sports AUNZ from Nashville.

"I was excluded from our team's pre-season, so already then I was thinking am I going to be a Chesterfield or not.

"We had an injury, the gaffer gave me a chance and I made my debut. Less than a month later, I've made my international debut against Mexico in the States, so it's all gone pretty quickly."

As well as capturing the eye of fans, Graham's performance in Nashville impressed his teammates.

"He was a little unknown because it was his first time playing for the All Whites – but I though he definitely had a game, and a performance, to build on," fellow All Whites defender Michael Boxall says.

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"I can see him staying and playing a lot of football in the All Whites fold, moving forward."

Graham's road to international football is a long and winding one, that veers from Australia, to New Zealand, to Italy, and plenty of parts between.

Born in Melbourne, Graham's family moved around internationally often – including New Zealand, Singapore and Dubai – but it wasn't until he was 18 when football really grounded him.

Graham score an eight-day trial at Italian Serie B club Vicenzia in 2010, which he turned into a two-year youth contract, before doing stints at Ascoli and Monza over the following two seasons.

Graham impressed Chesterfield enough in a trial last October to gain a contract with the Derbyshire club, whom he debuted for against Bury on September 24. The leap from League One to international football is obvious.

Recent interview with Graham about his play for Chesterfield in League. Source: Youtube.

"Physically, League One is still right up there – but technically, international football is miles ahead of anything I've played so far," Graham says.

"I always dream about [international football] to be quite honest. I'm proud to be a New Zealander, even though I was born in Australia and lived in many other countries. I'm proud to say I'm a New Zealander."

Along with his three Chesterfield caps, Graham has a game against Mexico in the bag now too, with the United States one on the way, too.

You can imagine that'll be quite the talking point back at training at Proact Stadium in Chesterfield next week.

Maybe Graham shouldn't head to any alt-right internet message boards to talk about his debut though. If does, don't call the Kiwi team 'All Whites' aye.