New men’s U-20 head coach Chris Greenacre has announced his first squad since taking on the role, naming his side for the OFC Men’s U-19 Championship, set to be played in Samoa from 5 – 18 July. 

The 23-player squad features 20 players based in Aotearoa New Zealand and three playing overseas in Australia, Dubai and the USA. 

Six players in Greenacre’s squad were also selected to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at last year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia. 

The full squad is:

James BULKELEY Fleetwood United FC, Dubai
Lachlan CANDY Waterside Karori FC, New Zealand
Adama COULIBALY Western Springs AFC, New Zealand
Luka COVENY Western United FC, Australia
Fergus GILLION Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Bruce IZUMI Western Suburbs FC, New Zealand
Seth KARUNARATNE Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Keegan KELLY Flatirons Rush SC, USA
Alby KELLY-HEALD Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Tze-Xuan LOKE Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Daniel MAKOWEM Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Eamonn MCCARRON Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Finn MCKENLAY Eastern Suburbs AFC, New Zealand
Oliver MIDDLETON Auckland United FC, New Zealand
Lewis PARTRIDGE Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Codey PHOENIX Auckland United FC, New Zealand
Rico PRADHAN Christchurch United FC, New Zealand
Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand 
Luke SUPYK Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Stipe UKICH Auckland City FC, New Zealand
Nathan WALKER Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand 
Joe WALLIS Auckland City FC, New Zealand 
Ryan WATSON Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand

New Zealand men’s U-20 head coach Chris Greenacre said:

“It is great to name my first tournament squad and I look forward to meeting up with the team in Samoa and getting to work. 

“This is a strong group with a number of players already having represented Aotearoa New Zealand on the international stage but we know the level of the teams in Oceania is rapidly developing so this will be a tough tournament but great for our players development.”

New Zealand have been drawn in Group B at the tournament alongside New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and hosts Samoa. 

The team start against New Caledonia on 6 July (KO 11am NZT), before facing Samoa on 9 July (KO 2pm NZT) and Papua New Guinea on 12 July (KO 11am NZT). 

All games will be played at FFS Football Stadium in Apia, Samoa

Article added: Friday 14 June 2024