Playing as part of the invitational Aspire International side, Men’s U-17 players Logan Rogerson and Billy Jones joined other talented youngsters from around the world in a tournament involving age-group teams from some of the biggest clubs in world football including Real Madrid, Arsenal and AC Milan.
Selected for the opportunity after their performances in the ASB Youth League prior to the OFC U-17 Championship last month, Rogerson and Jones’ Aspire International side played five games as they battled German club Schalke 04, Spanish giants Real Madrid, French club Paris Saint German, Argentina’s River Plate as well as a clash with the Aspire Academy side.
Rogerson, who was the Golden Ball winner at the OFC U-17 Championships, scored in the Aspire International 2-0 win over Schalke to open the tournament.
New Zealand Football High Performance Director Fred de Jong says the opportunity for the Kiwi duo fits perfectly within the framework of the organisation’s plan for the elite game.
“Our approach under the Beyond Football plan is to cultivate partnerships which will strengthen our ability to develop our players and teams for competition at the highest level,” de Jong said.
“This opportunity for Billy and Logan is another example of that intent with our players benefiting directly from an experience with and against some of the best players in the world in their age group.
“The link we have established with the Aspire Academy – which we also used as the base for the All Whites camp before last year’s game against Uzbekistan – is a key relationship for New Zealand Football as we continue our efforts to reposition the game in this country.”
Paris Saint German were the champions of the tournament after a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Brazilian club Sao Paulo in the final.
For more on New Zealand football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz.

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