Called up for the first time in 18 months, the SuperSport United striker joined the All Whites squad last week ahead of their crucial inter-continental World Cup qualifying play-off against Peru, in a winner-takes-all showdown between the Oceania Conference winners and the fifth-placed South American qualifier.
Not making it off the bench in their 0-0 stalemate in New Zealand last week, Brockie was again a substitute in Wednesday night’s reverse leg in Lima.
In front of a partisan 40 000 crowd, Jefferson Farfan opened the scoring on 28 minutes as Peru took the advantage, before Christian Ramos doubled the hosts’ lead 20 minutes into the second half to make the All Whites’ task even harder.
With 13 minutes left on the clock, Brockie was introduced in what was his 50th appearance for his national team, yet with time running out, could not make the desired impact as Peru emerged 2-0 victors, securing their spot at the world showpiece for the first time in 35 years, while New Zealand miss out on making a third Mundial showing.
Owing to the rigorous schedule and travel-time following New Zealand’s play-off, Brockie’s involvement in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup final first leg encounter is in doubt, with Matsatsantsa scheduled to play TP Mazembe in Congo on Sunday afternoon.