New Zealand’s head coach, Darren Bazeley, is optimistic about his young men’s football team’s chances at the Paris Olympics.
The squad, which features players like Joe Bell, Michael Boxall, and Sarpreet Singh, has been chosen for the tournament.
The Olympic rules state that 15 of the 18 players in the squad must be 23 years old or younger. 11 of the younger players have also represented the senior team, with 10 of them being part of the squad that won the OFC Nations Cup tournament in Vanuatu.
The squad members who have not played for the All Whites are
Swedish-based goalkeeper Kees Sims, Wellington Phoenix defender Matthew Sheridan, US-based forward Riley Bidois and Canada-based forward Jay Herdman.
Bazeley acknowledges that the competition’s being outside of a FIFA window has made it difficult for clubs to release players, but he is confident in the team’s depth and talent.
Over half of the squad was part of the All Whites team winning the OFC Men’s Nations Cup last month. New Zealand’s group also includes Guinea and the United States.
New Zealand squad: (* uncapped by All Whites)
Goalkeepers:
Alex Paulsen – AFC Bournemouth, England
Kees Sims* – GAIS Göteborg, Sweden
Defenders:
Tyler Bindon – Reading FC, England
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United, USA
Lukas Kelly-Heald – Wellington Phoenix
Matthew Sheridan* – Wellington Phoenix
Finn Surman – Wellington Phoenix
Sam Sutton – Wellington Phoenix
Midfielders:
Joe Bell – Viking FK, Norway
Fin Conchie – Wellington Phoenix
Matt Garbett – NAC Breda, Netherlands
Ben Old – AS Saint-Etienne, France
Sarpreet Singh – Unattached
Forwards:
Riley Bidois* – Loudoun United, USA
Jay Herdman* – Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada
Jesse Randall – Auckland FC
Oskar van Hattum – Wellington Phoenix
Ben Waine – Plymouth Argyle, England
Click to read more about Football.
