The Men’s U-17 team will continue their build-up to November’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia by taking part in a warm-up tournament in Japan this September.

Head coach Martin Bullock’s side will travel to Niigata, Japan to play three games: 

- Thursday 14 September (KO 6pm local) – vs Niigata regional team

- Saturday 16 September (KO 3:30pm local) – vs Japan U-17

- Monday 18 September (KO 6pm local) – vs Venezuela U-17

The first two games will be played at Niigata Athletic Field with the final game at Denka Big Swan Stadium, both in Niigata. 

Bullock has named an 18-player squad for the tournament, with 13 players recalled from the Australia and New Zealand-based side assembled for games against New Caledonia earlier this month. 

Among the new names are three players based in England: West Bromwich Albion’s Noah Dupont, Burnley FC’s Marley Leuluai and Stoke City’s Adam Watson. 

The full squad is:

Max Argent - Perth Glory, Australia
Ruben Argent - Perth Glory, Australia
Victor Barbosa - Auckland United, New Zealand
Josh Brown - Western Suburbs, New Zealand
Anaru Cassidy - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Raphael Conway - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Luka Coveny - Western United, Australia
Noah Dupont - West Bromwich Albion, England
Matt Foord - Cashmere Technical, New Zealand
Dylan Gardiner - Hamilton Wanderers, New Zealand
Marley Leuluai - Burnley FC, England
Mac Prathumphithak - Christchurch United, New Zealand
Fletcher Pratt - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Luke Mitchell - Hamilton Wanderers, New Zealand
Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Luke Supyk - Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nathan Walker - Fencibles United, New Zealand
Adam Watson - Stoke City, England

“It is brilliant to lock in these games and let our players get more good experience competing in an international tournament ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November” says head coach Martin Bullock.

“Our two home games against New Caledonia where really useful but ahead of travelling to Indonesia later this year, having the chance to assemble a squad and play three tough games overseas is invaluable. 

“These games also give us an opportunity to try out a few players who are either new to the environment, or who haven’t been in camp for a while, to see how everyone is tracking ahead of naming our squad for the world cup in a few months’ time.”

Article added: Tuesday 22 August 2023