Wood Eyes Continued Success After Landmark Season

All Whites Star Balances Club Form with International Duty

Chris Wood is navigating a demanding schedule, balancing his impressive form for Nottingham Forest with crucial appearances for the New Zealand national team as they prepare for future FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns. The forward reflects on a pivotal season and looks ahead to maintaining peak performance.

Forest’s Breakthrough Campaign

Wood pinpointed a significant turning point for Nottingham Forest: their historic victory over Liverpool at Anfield in mid-September—their first win at that venue since 1969. “[That showed] to everybody that this team can compete against the best and it just spiralled from there,” he stated. He also highlighted a six-game winning streak over the Christmas and New Year period as another key factor in their success.

The rigorous season took its toll, marking his busiest in eight years across both club and international commitments. Consequently, his workload is being carefully managed during the current Canadian Shield series. He played the final ten minutes of Sunday’s 1-0 win against Ivory Coast, and is expected to start Wednesday’s match against Ukraine (9am NZT).

Managing Fatigue and Future Prospects

Acknowledging the physical demands, Wood admitted, “It’s been a long season and I can’t back it up like I used to when I was young,” emphasizing the need for careful self-management. “I’ve just got to take care of the body because I want to be around for a long time.” He also believes in fostering opportunities for other players, stating, “you never know who is going to be available” when the FIFA World Cup arrives.

According to FIFA, the average professional footballer now covers approximately 11.3 kilometers (7 miles) per match, highlighting the increasing physical demands of the sport. FIFA Physical Conditioning

Personal Milestones and Kiwi Pride

Beyond football, Wood is enjoying a new chapter in his personal life, having welcomed daughter **Camille** with his wife, **Emma**, in April. “It’s very different,” he shared. “Life has completely changed, most definitely, but it’s fantastic. And Mum and baby are doing extremely well, so I couldn’t ask for more.”

Witnessing Kiwi Success

The team collectively watched fellow New Zealander **Ryan Fox**’s dramatic victory at the Canadian Open, a win secured after a five-hole playoff. Wood described the experience as both “agonising and exhilarating.” “It was a lot more nervous watching than it is playing football,” he laughed. “You can’t control anything and seeing a fellow Kiwi doing so well was exciting. He’s done fantastically well and having that opportunity to be there and watch that bit of history was fantastic.”

Looking Ahead to Ukraine

Wednesday’s match against Ukraine, ranked 25th globally, presents another significant challenge for the 86th-ranked New Zealand side. Wood hopes the team can build on their recent success against the African champions and deliver a consistently strong performance. “That’s the standard we need to set,” he asserted. Assistant coach **Tony Readings** confirmed some changes to the starting lineup to rotate the squad and build depth, aiming for improved possession and more effective attacking play.