Vaughan Coveny
Vaughan Coveny is a retired football player who frequently represented New Zealand in international matches. Coveny's senior club career spanned 20 years, with his most notable stint being at South Melbourne during their National Soccer League era. He was primarily a striker although he also played as a winger. After retiring from playing, he pursued a coaching career.
Club career
Coveny began his NSL career at the Melbourne Knights, then moved to Wollongong City, but the majority of his career was spent at South Melbourne in the NSL, and later on, Victorian Premier League. He also spent some time in the A-League, playing for the Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix. On Anzac Day 2009 Coveny scored his 100th goal for South Melbourne FC away at John Ilhan Memorial Reserve against Hume City FC. He retired at the end of the 2009 season.International career
Coveny made his full New Zealand debut in a 0–0 draw with Fiji on 19 September 1992. He was included in the New Zealand side for both the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup finals tournament, and the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup finals tournament.He ended his international playing career with 64 A-international caps to his credit, his final cap gained in a 1–1 draw with Estonia on 31 May 2006.
Coveny became New Zealand's highest goal scorer on 27 May 2006, when he scored twice in the "All Whites" 3–1 victory over Georgia, bringing his total A-international goal tally to 29. and his total including unofficial games to 30 in 71 games, surpassing Jock Newall's long standing record of 28 from only 17 games. In January 2009, Coveny announced his retirement from international football. He was also the games record holder for the All Whites, until Ivan Vicelich passed him in 2009.
International career statistics
International goals
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition | Goals |
| 20 June 1995 | Estadio Municipal, Coquimbo | 1–2 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 25 January 1997 | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | 1–3 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 11 June 1997 | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland | 7–0 | 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification | 3 | |
| 18 June 1997 | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland | 5–0 | 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification | 1 | |
| 28 September 1998 | Lang Park, Brisbane | 8–1 | 1998 OFC Nations Cup | 3 | |
| 29 June 1999 | National Stadium, Singapore | 1–0 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 6 June 2001 | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland | 5–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification | 3 | |
| 11 June 2001 | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland | 5–1 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification | 2 | |
| 13 June 2001 | North Harbour Stadium, Auckland | 7–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification | 3 | |
| 24 June 2001 | Stadium Australia, Sydney | 1–4 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification | 1 | |
| 9 June 2003 | University of Richmond Stadium, Richmond | 1–2 | Friendly | 1 | |
| 2 June 2004 | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide | 2–4 | 2004 OFC Nations Cup | 2 | |
| 4 June 2004 | Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide | 10–0 | 2004 OFC Nations Cup | 3 | |
| 6 June 2004 | Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide | 2–0 | 2004 OFC Nations Cup | 1 | |
| 25 May 2006 | Stadion Altenkirchen, Altenkirchen | 3–1 | Friendly | 2 |