Ben Old

Benjamin Craig Old (born 13 August 2002) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a attacking midfielder for the Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.[2]

Ben Old
Old playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2022
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Craig Old[1]
Date of birth (2002-08-13) 13 August 2002
Place of birth New Zealand
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Wellington Phoenix
Number 8
Youth career
–2016 Hibiscus Coast
2017 North Shore United
2018–2019 Wellington Phoenix
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019– Wellington Phoenix Reserves 25 (4)
2021 Lower Hutt 6 (0)
2021– Wellington Phoenix 42 (2)
International career‡
2018–2019 New Zealand U-17 4 (1)
2023– New Zealand U-23 2 (1)
2022– New Zealand 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:03, 25 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 March 2023

Early life

Old began his sports career as a golfer; he was given his first golf club when he was two.[3] Old was considered a former child golf prodigy, playing in his first international golf tournament at the age of seven. He had travelled to the United States to play against other child prodigies from around the world in Las Vegas, Pinehurst and San Diego.[3]

Club career

Wellington Phoenix

Old originally lived in Auckland before he moved to Wellington and joined the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy in 2018.[3] While not an official member of Wellington Phoenix's senior squad, Old had trained with the team before they went to Australia.[3] Old joined the team again for training when they returned, making his debut as a substitute in the Phoenix's 3–0 win over Western United and nutmegging his defender with his first touch.[4][2]

Old scored his first goal for the Wellington Phoenix during a 3–0 victory over the Brisbane Roar on 30 March 2022.[5]

International career

New Zealand U-17s

Old was part of the New Zealand U-17 team that won the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship and qualified for 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.[6][7][8] Old played in two games at the World Cup, first coming on as a sub in New Zealand's opening 1–2 loss to Angola before getting a start in the team's 1–0 win over Canada.[9][10]

New Zealand

Old was named in the 30-man New Zealand squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifiers.[11] He subsequently made his international debut on 19 March 2022, coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute during New Zealand's 1–0 victory against Papua New Guinea in the group stage.[12]

Career statistics
As of match played 22 May 2021[13]
Club Season League Cup Others Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 2019–20[14] New Zealand Football Championship 121——121
2020–21[15] New Zealand Football Championship 133——133
Wellington Phoenix 2020–21[16] A-League 10——10
Career total 264——264

References
  1. "FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. October 18, 2019. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  2. Rollo, Phillip (May 23, 2021). "Academy player Ben Old makes Wellington Phoenix debut in front of 24,105 people". Stuff.
  3. Rollo, Phillip (January 31, 2021). "Former child golf prodigy Ben Old striving towards Wellington Phoenix contract". Stuff.
  4. Rollo, Phillip (May 25, 2021). "Ben Old feeling more at home with Wellington Phoenix after surprise debut". Stuff.
  5. Wellington Phoenix FC (March 31, 2022). "Men's match review: Wellington Phoenix vs. Brisbane Roar" (Press release). Wellington Phoenix FC.
  6. "FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019 - News - History for Solomons, New Zealand continue run - FIFA.com". FIFA. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  7. "U-17 players looking to impress". New Zealand Football. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  8. "Figueira names quality World Cup squad". New Zealand Football. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  9. "FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 - Matches - New Zealand - Angola - FIFA.com". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  10. "FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019 - Matches - Canada - New Zealand - FIFA.com". FIFA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  11. "Squad named for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania Qualifiers". New Zealand Football. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  12. "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™". FIFA. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  13. Ben Old at Soccerway. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  14. "Summary - Premiership - New Zealand - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  15. "Summary - Premiership - New Zealand - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  16. "Benjamin Old (Wellington Phoenix) 2020-21". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
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