Five facts about Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Continuing the series 'Five Facts to know about...' picks up with Navy Blues and All Whites versatile defender-midfielder Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi.
Five Facts to know about Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi
Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi is one of Auckland City FC’s most versatile centre-backs, who helped the Navy Blues take out top honours in last year’s 2017-18 ISPS Handa Premiership.
A standout for New Zealand at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup on home soil, Hudson-Wihongi has since been in and out on the international scene for the All Whites, collecting eight senior caps in the process.
We caught up with Hudson-Wihongi to find out a little bit more about the man and how he got started in football.
Here are five facts to know about Auckland City FC Defender, Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi.
FIVE FACTS | Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi is one of @AucklandCity_FC most versatile centre-backs.
— Auckland Football (@AuckFootballFed) December 8, 2018
Here are five facts to know about ACFC Defender, @twihongi
https://t.co/EITcjHcru8
: @PhototekNZ pic.twitter.com/qLIznL8AgG
Hudson-Wihongi began playing football at Waitakere City
Beginning his footballing adventure, Hudson-Wihongi began playing football at West Auckland outfit, Waitakere City FC. The tall centre-back started playing football at the same time as his best friend and thoroughly enjoyed his junior days at the club.
Zinedine Zidane, Hudson-Wihongi’s footballing hero
Growing up in the 00’s, Hudson-Wihongi’s footballing idol was French midfielder, Zinedine Zidane. Before making the transition to a Centre-Back role, Hudson-Wihongi played in the centre of the pitch, following the footsteps of the great Zidane. It wasn’t until Auckland City FC Head Coach, Ramon Tribulietx converted the midfielder to a centre-back.
Hudson-Wihongi joined the Asia Pacific Football Academy
In 2010, Hudson-Wihongi made the move from Auckland to Christchurch to join the Asia Pacific Football Academy, along with current All Whites, Bill Tuiloma and Cameron Howieson. It was there where Hudson-Wihongi developed as a footballer and earned himself a place in a youth team overseas.
Hudson-Wihongi made the move to Real Salt Lake Academy (U-18s)
Two years after joining the APFA, Hudson-Wihongi earned himself a place in a professional environment and made the move to the states, where he made appearances for Real Salt Lake’s U-18 side. After a two-to-three-year spell in the states, Hudson-Wihongi returned to New Zealand to link up with the Wanderers SC, which was a buildup team for the 2015 U-20 FIFA World Cup.
He supports Manchester United
As well as being one of New Zealand’s top footballers, Hudson-Wihongi is a supporter of Manchester United. We just wonder what would happen if Zidane signed for Manchester City FC.
Article reproduced with the kind permission of Auckland Football Federation.
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 |  | WS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 |  | BU | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 |  | BO | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 5 |  | MN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 |  | AU | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 |  | ES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 |  | TC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 9 |  | MU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 |  | HW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 |  | EB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
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