Robert Trathen
Professional athletes are normally used to heart-in-your-mouth moments that can decide if dreams come true. Auckland FC goalkeeper Michael Woud is no exception – but even he was no match for the nerves that came with pulling off a romantic Balinese proposal for his partner of three years, artist and model Zana Renton, just a few months ago.
With a petal-filled pool spelling out “Marry me, Zana” that took more than three hours to painstakingly put together and a tropical downpour looming, Michael knew he had to act fast.
“The staff put 22 and a half kilos of flowers in the pool,” he says, shaking his head in amazement. “I took Zana out for the day but rushed back so it would all work. “I made her wait outside for a bit – I didn’t realise how big the boxes are for the rings, so I couldn’t walk around with it all day! Then I called her in and finally asked her to marry me. She said yes – obviously!”
New fiancée Zana, 24, smiles, her gorgeous oval diamond ring glittering on her finger as she admits, “I didn’t have any idea it was happening – until he told me to wait outside. But it was the perfect proposal, just Michael and me. I was so happy!”
It was a fittingly romantic moment for the Auckland couple, who met almost three years ago on a dating app. Michael, 26, who has played football around the world, including at Sunderland AFC, was back in New Zealand from Japan when he swiped right on a gorgeous girl who immediately caught his eye.
Says Zana, “It was hard and fast from then on – we just clicked. We knew each other for a month before we went to Byron Bay for New Year. In the first week of January, he went back to Japan for pre season. Then I joined him!”
The gorgeous pair moved quick – but, as Zana admits, “I know it’s cheesy to say, but when you know, you know. “You come out of the honeymoon phase pretty quickly when you move to a foreign country with someone you’ve only known for a month! It was a gamble, but it was one of those things. “In our short stint of being together, I saw how caring he was – Michael thought about my emotions and what I needed. I knew I was in good hands. I’m a strong, independent woman. I knew if shit hit the fan, I could deal with it!”
Michael and Zana lived for a year together in Japan while he played for Kyoto Sanga FC.
“It tested our relationship,” he says.
“We didn’t have many friends over there and we went into the deep end quite quick, but it worked out really well. Honestly, there’s no better way to test a relationship when you spend every day together!”
As much as the couple loved Japan, they were both thrilled when Michael signed with Auckland FC, getting the opportunity to play professional football for his hometown for the first time.
“I never thought I’d get to do that,” he tells.
“It was so cool to be part of the club’s first year and to be home. Long-term, with us wanting to have a family, it’s been great coming back to our friends and relatives. “There’s more to life than football and sometimes you forget that. At the end of the day, it’s a job. Having the right environment around you is so important.”
Now with roots firmly planted in Ta¯maki Makaurau, Michael and Zana are excited to plan their future together.
“Zana’s so down to earth and she understands what makes me happy,” says Michael.
“She made a huge sacrifice for us, leaving New Zealand to come to Japan to see if this relationship would work. It says so much about her. And obviously, she’s very beautiful!”
Zana laughs as she explains how the pair complement each other perfectly – often with honesty.
“Michael’s Dutch, so he’s very to the point sometimes,” she shares.
“He cuts through BS really well, whereas I can fall into it a little. But he’s a very selfless person. At the end of the day, we have each other’s best interests at heart.”
Michael continues, “We have a good understanding of each other – no words have to be said for us to understand.”
Of course, a big topic of conversation at the moment is the upcoming wedding, which will happen next year in the football off-season.
“We’ve thrown a few ideas around,” Zana says.
“The social media feed starts really giving you a lot of ideas instantly!”
Adds Michael, “We’ll take it as it comes and have some fun with it. We can’t wait.”
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