New Zealand Soccer is pleased to announce the All Whites squad to travel to Iran for the one off AFC/OFC Challenge Cup match on October 12th in Teheran.
There are 6 new faces from the 23-man squad that travelled to the Confederations Cup in France, with Head Coach Mick Waitt looking to the future. “This match signals a new era for the All Whites as we plan for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying competition and next years Athens Olympic qualifying tournament.
Whilst the door isn’t completely closed at this point, there are a number of players who have served the game with great honour and commitment over many years who have made way on this occasion for younger players. Finding the right mix of experience and the need to provide international experience to the younger players is never easy but I believe we have gathered together an exciting squad for what will be a difficult challenge in Teheran.”
That eye to the future is indicated in the selection of 6 players eligible for selection to the Olympic (U/23) team next season (plus a further 2 not considered through injury). Further to that, there are 4 selected at senior level for the first time (Rupesh Puna, Glen Moss, Allan Pearce and Tony Lochhead).
Ryan Nelsen will captain the side but not for the first time. The former NZ Olympic Captain wore the armband against Colombia in the recent Confederations Cup when Chris Zoricich was ruled out with injury. Waitt says Nelsen is poised to lead the All Whites for some time. “Ryan is a natural leader, as evidenced with the Olympic Squad in 2000 and his recent appointment to the role with DC United in the MLS. His stature and playing ability make him the obvious choice to lead this team into a new era.”
All Whites Squad v Iran
Player Club Position
Aaran Lines Ruch Chorzow (Poland) Midfield
Allan Pearce + Lincoln City (England)) Forward
Chris Killen + Oldham Athletic (England) Forward
Christian Bouckenooghe Roeselare (Belgium) Forward
Che Bunce Randers (Denmark) Defender
David Mulligan + Barnsley (England) Defender
Duncan Oughton Columbus Crew (USA) Defender
Gerard Davis Tampere United (Finland) Defender
Glen Collins Football Kingz (NZ) Defender
Glen Moss + Sydney Olympic (Australia) Goalkeeper
Ivan Vicelich Roda JC (Holland) Defender
Mark Paston Bradford (England) Goalkeeper
MichaelWilson Stanford University (USA) Midfielder
Noah Hickey Tampere United (Finland) Midfielder
Rupesh Puna + Caversham (NZ) Defender
Ryan Nelsen DC United (USA) Defender
Simon Elliott LA Galaxy (USA) Midfielder
Tony Lochhead + Santa Barbara (USA) Defender
Mick Waitt Head Coach
Ricki Herbert Assistant Coach
Stephen Williamson Team Manager
Roland Jefferies Team Physio
John Lythe Sports Science
Celeste Geertsema Team Doctor
The following players were not considered due to injury: Brent Fisher+, Shane Smeltz+, Raffaele de Gregorio.
+ Eligible for NZ Olympic squad 2004
The team has been one of the more difficult to bring together from a logistical point of view, with NZS Director of Football Paul Smalley and CEO Bill MacGowan facing many issues from player availability to injury to visa requirements.
Bill MacGowan says safety is also an issue to consider: “Clearly the Middle East is a volatile part of the world but we have been in constant communication with the NZ Embassy in Baghdad and Government agencies here in NZ and will continue to monitor the situation. That, and the need to communicate with all clubs concerned, led to a delay in today’s announcement but we had to ensure all issues were covered off before publicly naming the squad.”
The team will assemble in Dubai on Tuesday 7th before travelling to Iran.