The All Whites Head Coach, Fritz Schmid, has named a youthful, new squad which includes four Wellington Phoenix players for the upcoming International Cup in India next month.
The 23-man squad will compete against hosts India, Kenya and Chinese Taipei in the tournament staged at the Mumbai Football Arena from 1 – 10 June and also includes Hyundai A-League players from Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory.
The squad sees regular international, Tom Doyle joined by Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh and Phoenix youngster, Liberato Cacace. Brisbane’s Dane Ingham is joined by brother Jai Ingham, who plays for Melbourne Victory, while new Newcastle Jets recruit Matthew Ridenton is also included.
Cacace, who has made a big impression since making his debut for the Phoenix this season, was surprised to get called up but ready to take on the challenge.
Wellington Phoenix General Manager, David Dome said it was rewarding for the club to have four of its young players called up to the senior side.
“We are really pleased for the four players who have been called up to the senior All Whites side for this tournament.
“Alex and Tom are experienced professionals with real leadership qualities given their comparatively young years.
“Of course, the ongoing development of Sarpreet and Liberato is particularly gratifying for the Academy, which is real credit to that programme.”
For Singh, who has been involved in the All Whites camp previously with Fritz Schmid, said “While I don’t know too much about the opposition, we can only worry about us.
“It’s been a good week of training and preparation – we know what we’re doing.
“We can only control what we do and our game and I’m looking forward to getting out there with the team.”
Here’s the full 23-man New Zealand squad:
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Salford City), Michael Woud (Sunderland), Nik Tzanev (AFC Wimbledon)
Defenders: Nikko Boxall (Viborg FF), Adam Mitchell (Bolton Wanderers), Sam Brotherton (Sunderland), Tom Doyle (Wellington Phoenix), Dane Ingham (Brisbane Roar), Te Atawhai Hudson Wihongi (Onehunga Sports), Justin Gulley (Stop Out), Liberato Cacace (Wellington Phoenix)
Midfielders: Matt Ridenton (Newcastle Jets), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Henry Cameron (Limerick), Cameron Howieson (Three Kings United), Clayton Lewis (Scunthorpe United), Tim Payne (Eastern Suburbs), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Andre De Jong (Hakoah Sydney City East), Moses Dyer (Manukau United), Jai Ingham (Melbourne Victory)
Forwards: Noah Billingsley (Santa Barbara University), Myer Bevan (Husqvarna FF)
Standby: Cameron Brown, Niko Kirwan, Jack Henry Sinclair, Owen Parker Price, Callum McCowatt, Monty Patterson, Jake Porter, James McGarry, Logan Rogerson
The Intercontinental Cup Fixtures (all games kick off at 8pm local time, 2:30am NZT)
1 June India v Chinese Taipei
2 June Kenya v New Zealand
4 June India v Kenya
5 June Chinese Taipei v New Zealand
7 June India v New Zealand
8 June Chinese Taipei v Kenya
10 June FINAL
