International Career
Smeltz has played for the under 20, under 23 and senior New Zealand national teams. He scored his first goal for the All Whites, an away friendly on 25 April 2006, against Chile. In that game Smeltz also became the first AFC Wimbledon player to win international honours, and the first to become an international goalscorer.
In May 2007, he was the scorer of both New Zealand goals in an impressive 2–2 draw against Wales.
On 19 November 2007, following his impressive form with Wellington Phoenix in the A-League and consistent performances for the All Whites, Smeltz was voted New Zealand footballer of the year, ahead of FA Premier League star Ryan Nelsen and Celtic striker Chris Killen. In December 2008, Smeltz was belatedly named Oceania federation player of 2007.
Smeltz travelled to South Africa as part of the New Zealand squad for both the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup Finals.
Smeltz scored a goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa against former FIFA 2006 World Cup winners Italy in Nelspruit, South Africa, making him the first ever A-League player to do so.
During a World Cup qualifying match against New Caledonia on 22 March 2013, Smeltz was the victim of a high boot to the face in the opposing penalty area, leaving him bloodied.
Read more about this topic: Shane Smeltz
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“My ambition in life: to become successful enough to resume my career as a neurasthenic.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)