LEO Bertos became Dale's first World Cup star when he took the field for New Zealand against Australia in Adelaide on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who was Rochdale's second top scorer with 10 strikes last season, was used as a forward by All Whites coach Mick Waitt in the opening game of the Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup, which doubles as a World Cup qualifying tournament.

Unfortunately, the classy Kiwi couldn't make an impact on a game bossed by the Aussies.

The match was settled by a 39th-minute free-kick from Marco Bresciano.

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