Isuzu UTE A-League-based players make up more than half of New Zealand’s Under-20 squad for next month’s international friendlies against Chile.
Of the 21-player squad set to go up against 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup hosts Chile in Santiago on June 5 and June 8, 14 are from A-Leagues clubs.
Wellington Phoenix have seven representatives, including 16-year-old Luke Brooke-Smith – who is the youngest player selected following a breakout season. Rivals Auckland FC also have five players included, while Western United have two players called up.
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For Western United’s Harry Casci, it is his maiden New Zealand selection.
The 14 Isuzu UTE A-League-based players come from three clubs in New Zealand’s U20 squad come from three clubs:
Auckland FC: Adama Coulibaly, Finn McKenlay, Oliver Middleton, James Mitchell, Codey Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix: Luke Brooke-Smith, Fergus Gillion, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Xuan Loke, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Jayden Smith, Luke Supyk
Western United: Harry Casci, Luka Coveny
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“Ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup this year, time together is really important, so it is great to assemble this group and test ourselves against the World Cup hosts, in the host country,” said head coach Chris Greenacre.
“Getting games against non-OFC sides to prepare for what we will come up against in September is significant, and Chile play a style of football that will be a good challenge for us.
“This is a really exciting squad, some of which played big roles for us in the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers and some of which are new to the group or this level, so I can’t wait to get into camp and get to work.”
