All Whites striker Jeremy Brockie is delighted to be back in the national squad, as they prepare to face Peru in a two-legged intercontinental playoff for a spot at next year's FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The man from Christchurch last donned the silver fern in June last year, when the All Whites won the 2016 OFC Nations Cup final against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.
It appeared that match was going to be Brockie's last for the All Whites, as he has only scored for his country once in 49 games, but the 30-year-old never gave up hope.
Brockie was selected by Anthony Hudson in his 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers, in large part due to his experience and his impressive form playing with South Africa club SuperSport United.
"I've had plenty of disappointment, since I made my debut in 2006," said Brockie. "I've really loved playing for my country.
"As the windows have come and passed by, hope started to deteriorate pretty quickly, but I've always kept my eye on what the boys have been doing in the last couple of windows.
"When I got the e-mail and call, it was like being called up for the first time again.
"It is another dream come true to be so close to World Cup qualification."
Brockie is one of eight players selected who were apart of the All Whites squad that competed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
He is unsure how much time he will get on the pitch during the two matches against Peru, but he hopes to at least make an impact off it.
"I haven't been promised any game time, but I'm just happy to be in the 23.
"He's [Hudson] told me I've been brought back in from an experienced point of view.
"I've played in a couple of World Cup qualifying campaigns and even with my club over the last six or seven months.
"I've been to some pretty rough places in Africa, in front of massive crowds, and I've won lots of trophies recently too."
Fellow striker Rory Fallon was also a part of the 2010 World Cup squad and has been recalled, due to his valuable experience and off the field leadership.
"He is the class clown," says Brockie. "Whether you are down or somebody else is down, or you're having a meal and it's quiet, he'll do something silly to get the boys laughing.
"He is good to bring the boys close together, but sometimes it can be irritating. More often than not, he is just a top guy and best suited for class clown."
Brockie recalls one story that sums up exactly why the 35-year-old Fallon deserves the "class clown" billing.
"We were in Switzerland for a couple of games and we were rooming by ourselves, and a couple of us had to go out and do media.
"I came back to the room a little earlier, because I had finished first, and I could hear giggling going on my room. Him, David Mulligan and Jeremy Christie got my room key, went into my room and switched my whole room around.
"The mattress wasn't on my bed. Searched the bathroom, my mattress was in the bath and it was touching the light and the mattress had caught, not on fire, but the smoke was starting to come.
"That was caught on video and little things like that come up too."
The All Whites are now assembling in Wellington, ahead of the first leg in the capital at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, November 11, with a 4:15pm kick-off.
The second leg will be played in Lima on Thursday, November 16, at 3:15pm (NZ time).
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