The Central United midfielder, who made his debut a week ago en route to Mexico, led the scoring charge with three goals as the Young All Whites defeated Uzbekistan 4-1 in Torreon, Mexico to sit atop the Group D standings ahead of USA, who beat the Czech Republic 3-0 in the group’s late match.
It’s the first hat-trick by a kiwi male at a FIFA event – Football Ferns striker Rosie White notched two at age-group events in 2008 – but the 16-year-old wasn’t exactly brushing up on his Spanish in May having been part of the squad but not making the team for either Oceania qualifying or a tour to Qatar.
“It’s an awesome feeling – just unbelievable,” said Carmichael after the match.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to make the squad and it was a nervous wait to see if I would be in or not. Once you get the opportunity you’ve just got to take it. It’s something I’ve worked really hard for and tried to make the most of the chances I’ve got.”
His first chance came just ten minutes into the game when a rebounded ball squirted out to him just inside the Uzbek penalty area.
“I was focusing on getting a good first touch and striking the ball well.”
His strike left Ganisher Kholmurodov little chance in the Uzbek goal and by the time he netted his third eight minutes into the second half to make the score 3-1, the Young All Whites were well on their way to victory.
While teams are prevented from performing cultural displays before matches at FIFA events, the Young All Whites were quick to celebrate with a traditional kiwi haka in their dressing room after the win.
“Harley Tahau led it. It’s something we practised yesterday in the pool so we were keen to use it if we could,” Carmichael said.
New Zealand coach Aaron McFarland praised Carmichael’s impact since joining the squad but emphasised the win was due to an all-round team performance.
“He’s been doing really well on tour. He’s proven himself in the heat and he’s one of the lads that are capable of getting hold of the ball and doing something. If we were going to win this game we needed characters like that to step up. He made a couple of goals and the other was a good team one.
“He’ll take the glory today but in the next game it may be someone else.”
New Zealand’s next game is against the Czech Republic on Thursday morning.
New Zealand scorers at FIFA events
FIFA World Cup Spain 1982: Scotland 5 New Zealand 2 (Steve SUMNER, Steve WOODDIN)
FIFA Women’s World Cup China 1991: China 4 New Zealand 1 (Kim NYE)
FIFA U-17 World Cup New Zealand 1997: New Zealand 1 (David MULLIGAN) USA 2
FIFA U-17 World Cup New Zealand 1997: New Zealand 2 (David MULLIGAN, Allan PEARCE) Poland 1
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Russia 2006: Russia 3 New Zealand 2 (Abby ERCEG, Emma HUMPHRIES)
FIFA U-20 World Cup, Canada 2007: New Zealand 1 (Jack PELTER) Mexico 2
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup NZ 2008: New Zealand 1 (Annalie LONGO) Denmark 2
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup NZ 2008: New Zealand 3 (Rosie WHITE 3) Colombia 1
Beijing Olympics 2008 (Men): China 1 New Zealand 1 (Jeremy BROCKIE)
Beijing Olympics 2008 (Women): Japan 2 New Zealand 2 (Kirsty YALLOP, Amber HEARN)
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008: Nigeria 3 New Zealand 2 (Ria PERCIVAL 2)
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008: Chile 3 New Zealand 4 (Rosie WHITE 3, Renee LEOTA)
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008: England 1 New Zealand 1 (Sarah McLAUGHLIN)
FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009: Costa Rica 1 New Zealand 1 (Michael BUILT)
FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009: Burkina Faso 1 New Zealand 1 (Gordon MURIE
FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009: Turkey 1 New Zealand 1 (Jack HOBSON-McVEIGH)
FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: Slovakia 1 New Zealand 1 (Winston REID)
FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: Italy 1 New Zealand 1 (Shane SMELTZ)
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010: Sweden 2 New Zealand 1 (Hannah WILKINSON)
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010: Korea DPR 2 New Zealand 1 (Bridgette ARMSTRONG)
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010: Brazil 4 New Zealand 1 (Rosie WHITE)
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad & Tobago 2010: Venezuela 2 New Zealand 1 (Kate LOYE)
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad & Tobago 2010: Spain 3 New Zealand 1 (Kate LOYE)
FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011: Uzbekistan 1 New Zealand 4 (Stephen CARMICHAEL 3, Jordan VALE)
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz