Auckland FC forward Liam Gillion has been rewarded for a bright start to his maiden Isuzu UTE A-League campaign with his first senior New Zealand international call-up.
Gillion, 22, is one of 11 Isuzu UTE A-League players included in a star-studded 24-player All Whites squad for two FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Vanuatu and Samoa in mid-November.
The uncapped Auckland winger is joined by Black Knights teammates Francis de Vries, Tommy Smith, Logan Rogerson, Nando Pijnaker and Alex Paulsen in the New Zealand squad; Perth Glory goalkeeper Oli Sail and Central Coast Mariners full-back Storm Roux have also been selected along with three Wellington Phoenix stars: Kosta Barbarouses, Tim Payne and Alex Rufer.
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De Vries, meanwhile, has been selected for the first time in more than a year after a bright start to life at Auckland FC.
The All Whites face Vanuatu at FMG Stadium on November 15 before a meeting with Samoa Go Media Stadium, the home of Auckland FC.
Isuzu UTE A-League players selected:
Kosta Barbarouses (64 caps/7 goals) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Liam Gillion* (0/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Alex Paulsen (2/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)
Tim Payne (41/2) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (22/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Logan Rogerson (13/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Storm Roux (13/0) Central Coast Mariners, Australia
Alex Rufer (17/0) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia
Tommy Smith (56/2) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Francis de Vries (7/0) Auckland FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
