Four Kiwis will be at the heart of the footballing universe in the early hours of Saturday morning (NZ time) as the FIFA World Cup in Russia continues to enthrall fans across the globe.

Two back-to-back matches will have New Zealand representation with Matt Conger and Simon Lount set to officiate in the meeting between Nigeria and Iceland while a lucky pair of football-mad youngsters, Isabel Bristow and Sophie Heywood, will walk out with the players as the mighty Brazil take on Costa Rica.

For referee Conger and assistant referee Lount, their time in the middle at the biggest sporting event on the planet is the culmination of years of hard work while Isabel, 9, and Sophie, 8, received their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after winning the McDonald’s player escort competition.

“I’ve dreamed of being involved in football on the world stage ever since I was probably seven or eight years old,” said Palmerston North-based Conger before heading over to Russia.

“It’s a dream come true but it’s one that has become more realistic as time went on and the dreams shifted into goals. So it is a dream but it does feel like it’s the next logical step for us.”

Conger and Lount will be joined in controlling Nigeria’s clash with Iceland in Volgograd by Tongan assistant referee Tevita Makasini as part of an all-Oceania match official trio. Refereeing at the World Cup will be the highlight of each of their careers but Conger said they will approach the task in the same manner as any other match or tournament.

“We’ve laid a really strong foundation and groundwork within our team as to how we look at matches and make decisions as a team. It’s very much about keeping a level head and being calm but also 100 per cent enjoying it and appreciating the experience,” he said prior to the tournament.

“We will just be saying that it’s still team A and team B, we’ve got to make decisions and everything else will take care of itself.”

Lount, who lives in Paraparaumu, arrived in Russia after a business trip to Europe and was looking forward to achieving a lifelong goal.

“It’s been a long journey – a lot of tournaments, a lot of training,” he said. “But this was the ultimate goal.”

Due to their tender years, Isabel and Sophie have been involved in football for far less time but are just as excited to be part of such a massive occasion. They will walk out onto the pitch as player escorts with the likes of superstars Neymar, Marcelo, Coutinho and Firmino in St Petersburg.

“Isabel and I couldn’t believe it when we got the call from New Zealand Football and it’s all we have talked about since,” said dad Grant Bristow, whose young family are from Petone.

Rebecca Heywood said it was a similar response in their household in Waipukurau with her and Sophie jumping around the living room.

“Following in both her grandfathers’ footsteps, Sophie is an avid football fan,” mum Rebecca said.

“She loves everything about sport, and football in particular, so this is the ultimate experience for her. Walking out to a full stadium in St Petersburg with legends of the game is something she will never forget.”

Brazil will face Costa Rica on Saturday 23 June from midnight in Group E of the FIFA World Cup while the Group D match between Nigeria and Iceland takes place immediately after from 3am (NZ times).

Article added: Friday 22 June 2018