AUCKLAND – The 23-man All Whites squad for the next month’s FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa has a bit of everything – big names, late runs and a couple of good old-fashioned bolters.
New Zealand’s third appearance at FIFA’s tournament for continental champions will feature matches against Spain, Iraq and the hosts between June 14 and 20 with a dream date against World Champions Italy crowning a series of three friendlies to warm up for the event.
While captain Ryan Nelsen was part of both 1999 and 2003 Confederations Cup campaigns, and Simon Elliott, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Duncan Oughton, David Mulligan and Mark Paston were all part of the 2003 All Whites squad that competed in France, some newer faces have successfully pressed their claims for inclusion alongside them.
Chris Wood’s rapid rise through the ranks of Premiership side West Bromwich Albion this year is matched by the 17-year-old’s first senior international call up.
The former U-17 international began sending loud signals to All Whites coach Ricki Herbert’s radar with impressive goal scoring form with the club’s U-18 and reserve teams, before becoming just the fifth kiwi to play in the Premier League with a debut as a substitute against Portsmouth last month.
“When I first took the job in 2005,” said Herbert, “I said age wasn’t a barrier to selection, and that if we found a young guy he we thought was good enough we’d put him in the team.
“Chris has gone to a good club, spent a decent amount of time in a very competitive environment and been good enough to pave his way through to coming off the bench in a Premier League game. That speaks volumes and he thoroughly justifies his place in the squad.”
Given the level Wood has reached, the tag of ‘bolter’ would probably sit more comfortably with goalkeeper James Bannatyne, who grabbed headlines in February by scoring from beyond the half way line with a freak free kick in the penultimate round of the New Zealand Football Championship.
The Team Wellington glove man was included as backup to Mark Paston for New Zealand’s opening World Cup qualifier in Fiji in October 2007, and while the 33-year-old but has not featured in All Whites squads since then, the need for experienced back-up in South Africa earns him the nod ahead of younger candidates.
Meanwhile, Waitakere United fullback Aaron Scott and Greece-based striker Kris Bright have held their places after strong showings against Thailand recently; Kilmarnock’s recent recruit Steven Old earns a recall after missing that trip to South East Asia; and Bannatyne’s Team Wellington team mate Andy Barron in included on the back of a stand out NZFC season.
Also on the comeback trail are Wellington Phoenix duo Leo Bertos and Ben Sigmund, working their way back to full fitness after off-season surgery. The length of Ben Sigmund’s rehabilitation was initially thought to rule the passionate defender out of contention but he progressed faster than expected and received the green light from medical staff on Wednesday.
The New Zealand based squad members depart for Africa on May 27, setting up camp in Botswana ahead of opening friendlies against Botswana and Tanzania. On June 9, the All Whites move to South Africa to prepare for the Italy friendly and the eight-nation Confederations Cup, which also includes Brazil, Italy, Egypt and USA in Group B.
New Zealand squad for Confederations Cup
South Africa – June 14-28
(Club – caps/goals)
Goalkeepers:
James BANNATYNE (Petone/Team Wellington – 5/0)
Glen MOSS (Melbourne Victory – 10/0)
Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix – 19/0)
Defenders:
Andrew BOYENS (New York Red Bulls – 8/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix – 20/0)
David MULLIGAN (Wellington Phoenix – 23/3)
Ryan NELSEN (Captain / Blackburn Rovers – 38/10)
Steven OLD (Kilmarnock – 19/1)
Aaron SCOTT (Melville United/Waitakere United – 2/0)
Ben SIGMUND (Wellington Phoenix – 8/1)
Midfielders:
Andy BARRON (Petone/Team Wellington – 6/1)
Leo BERTOS (Wellington Phoenix – 22/0)
Tim BROWN (Vice-captain / Wellington Phoenix – 19/0)
Jeremy CHRISTIE (Wellington Phoenix – 17/1)
Simon ELLIOTT (San Jose Earthquakes – 58/8)
Chris JAMES (Tampere United – 12/1)
Duncan OUGHTON (Columbus Crew – 25/2)
Forwards:
Kris BRIGHT (Panserraikas FC – 2/1)
Jeremy BROCKIE (North Queensland Fury – 11/0)
Chris KILLEN (Celtic FC – 28/15)
Shane SMELTZ (Gold Coast United – 23/13)
Jarrod SMITH (Seattle Sounders FC – 14/0)
Chris WOOD (West Bromwich Albion – 0/0)
Schedule
International friendlies
New Zealand v Tanzania
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
June 3, 4pm (1am, June 4 NZT)
New Zealand v Botswana
Garborone, Botswana
June 6, 4pm (2am, June 7 NZT)
New Zealand v Italy
Pretoria, South Africa
June 10, 8.45pm (6.45am, June 11 NZT)
FIFA Confederations Cup, South Africa
New Zealand v Spain
Rustenburg
June 14, 8.30pm (6.30am, June 15 NZT)
New Zealand v South Africa
Rustenburg
June 17 (6.30am, June 18 NZT)
New Zealand v Iraq
Johannesburg
June 20 (6.30am, June 21 NZT)
Story courtesy of NZF Media
For the latest NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz