Former Oxford United goalkeepers bid for World Cup glory

The tournament kicks off at 8pm in the UK with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in a replay of the 2010 World Cup opening fixture.

England begin their quest for a first world title since 1966 on Wednesday, June 17, against 2018 finalists Croatia.

Two former U’s men will take to the world stage over the next month, none more so than 2022 champion Emiliano Martinez.

Martinez helped Lionel Messi’s Argentina to victory in Qatar four years ago, winning the golden glove in the process.

World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez in action for Oxford United (Image: Oxford Mail Archive)

The Aston Villa goalkeeper played one match for Oxford back in 2012 after he joined the club on an emergency loan from Arsenal due to injuries to Ryan Clarke and Wayne Brown.

His single appearance was a 3-0 defeat to Port Vale on the final day of the League Two season which also happened to be Martinez’s debut in the Football League.

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Argentina begin their World Cup campaign in the early hours of Wednesday morning against Algeria.

Elsewhere, another former United goalkeeper, Max Crocombe, will be in action for New Zealand.

Max Crocombe in goal for Oxford United (Image: Oxford Mail Archive)

After joining as a youngster in 2010, Crocombe signed his first professional contract with Oxford in 2012 and spent a further four years at the club.

However, he only made six appearances in that time as he was shipped out on loan four times, including a spell at Banbury United in 2011/12.

The Kiwi left in 2016 and is now at Championship side Millwall, his seventh club since departing OX4.

New Zealand’s first World Cup group game is next Tuesday against Iran, another kick off in the early morning for UK viewers.