Junior All Whites call up overseas based talent

Finn Surman from the Wellington Phoenix will be part of the Junior All Whites U-20 World Cup campaign.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand will take an experienced squad to the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, set to be played in Argentina later this month.

Head coach Darren Bazeley has named his named a 21-person squad that includes16 players from the side that won the OFC U-19 Championship last year return as well as 10 players that featured in the under-22 squad for games against China PR in March.

The side features 13 players currently based in New Zealand with eight players playing overseas in Canada, England, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden.

“I’m really pleased with the talent we have been able to assemble for the tournament,” Bazeley said.

“These are a great bunch of lads, playing around the world, and I know the whole squad can’t wait to get to Argentina to test ourselves against the best.”

The world cup starts on 20 May and runs until 11 June.

New Zealand are in group A with hosts Argentina, Uzbekistan and Guatemala.

The Junior All Whites will play Guatemala on the opening day of the tournament in Santiago del Estero before playing Uzbekistan in the same city on May 23. They will then travel to San Juan to face Argentina in their final pool match on May 26.

The top two sides from each of the six groups and the four best third-placed finishers progress to the round of 16. New Zealand has qualified for the last 16 of the past three U-20 World Cups.

Argentina have stepped in to host the tournament at late notice after Indonesia was stripped of the hosting rights five weeks ago, amidst protests at Israel’s participation.

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers:

Henry Gray, currently on trial in England

Alby Kelly-Heald, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Kees Sims, Ljungskile SK, Sweden

Defenders:

Isaac Hughes, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Jackson Jarvie, Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand

Lukas Kelly-Heald, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Finn Linder, Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada

Everton O’Leary, Birkenhead United, New Zealand

Adam Supyk, Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand

Finn Surman, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Aaryan Raj, Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand

Midfielders:

Fin Conchie, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Jay Herdman, Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada

Noah Karunaratne, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Jackson Manuel, Western Springs, New Zealand

Dan McKay, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Forwards:

Oliver Colloty, currently on trial in England

Kian Donkers, NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands

Oli Fay, Ljungskile SK, Sweden

Norman Garbett, Potenza Calcio, Italy

Ben Wallace, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand