As I posted earlier it's great chance to bring Gillion in and introdice him to senior non ALM members of the squad, who will know very little about him.
He's exciting and for sure, once he gets some more 'end product' a real chance of being in the 2026 WC squad. If there is one thing the AWs need against the teams outside OFC it's goals. He maybe that guy in 2 years, who knows.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360473837/exciting-auckland-fc-winger-liam-gillion-handed-first-all-whites-callup
Bazeley was already familiar with Gillion from the Oly Whites’ campaign at the Paris Olympics in July and August, where he used the winger off the bench in all three matches, and was delighted to deliver the good news to him on Monday, two days after Auckland beat the Phoenix in the inaugural New Zealand derby.
“Most of my phone calls are challenging conversations, where I'm giving bad news, but that was a really good one, where I'm telling somebody that they're going to get called up for the first time.
“He (Gillion) was really excited, and he can't wait. I think it's a good reward for him for starting the season so positively, every time he's got the ball in the league.
“Potentially there are a lot of other players for him to get past in his position, so it's a really good opportunity for us to have a closer look at him.”
While Gillion is yet to contribute a goal or an assist for Auckland, who have won three from three, he has been their brightest attacking player, even though he is still adjusting to the lack of time he has to make his final pass at the professional level.
He's exciting and for sure, once he gets some more 'end product' a real chance of being in the 2026 WC squad. If there is one thing the AWs need against the teams outside OFC it's goals. He maybe that guy in 2 years, who knows.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360473837/exciting-auckland-fc-winger-liam-gillion-handed-first-all-whites-callup
Bazeley was already familiar with Gillion from the Oly Whites’ campaign at the Paris Olympics in July and August, where he used the winger off the bench in all three matches, and was delighted to deliver the good news to him on Monday, two days after Auckland beat the Phoenix in the inaugural New Zealand derby.
“Most of my phone calls are challenging conversations, where I'm giving bad news, but that was a really good one, where I'm telling somebody that they're going to get called up for the first time.
“He (Gillion) was really excited, and he can't wait. I think it's a good reward for him for starting the season so positively, every time he's got the ball in the league.
“Potentially there are a lot of other players for him to get past in his position, so it's a really good opportunity for us to have a closer look at him.”
While Gillion is yet to contribute a goal or an assist for Auckland, who have won three from three, he has been their brightest attacking player, even though he is still adjusting to the lack of time he has to make his final pass at the professional level.
The All Whites’ biggest area of need is players who can take defenders on in wide areas and that has played a part in his swift elevation.
“He has looked exciting,” Bazeley said. “I think the fans have enjoyed watching him play this year.
“You’re right – he's a little bit different to other players that we have. All of our players have different strengths, but he brings something a little bit different.
“As a coach, it's quite exciting to go, okay, well how else can we unlock a defense? It might be that we need somebody that's got that sort of skill set that Liam brings.
“He's very early in his professional life, but he’s started the season really well. He's worked really hard in pre-season to get up to professional level, and he's reaping some rewards now.”
Singh’s return to the All Whites for the first time since March comes just two weeks after he made his debut at his new second-tier Portuguese club, União de Leiria, following delays due to injury and transfer paperwork.
His 33 minutes in two appearances off the bench were his first since he played for the Oly Whites in France, and while he will go again this weekend, Bazeley said he would not be ready for 90 minutes against Vanuatu or Samoa.
“He has looked exciting,” Bazeley said. “I think the fans have enjoyed watching him play this year.
“You’re right – he's a little bit different to other players that we have. All of our players have different strengths, but he brings something a little bit different.
“As a coach, it's quite exciting to go, okay, well how else can we unlock a defense? It might be that we need somebody that's got that sort of skill set that Liam brings.
“He's very early in his professional life, but he’s started the season really well. He's worked really hard in pre-season to get up to professional level, and he's reaping some rewards now.”
Singh’s return to the All Whites for the first time since March comes just two weeks after he made his debut at his new second-tier Portuguese club, União de Leiria, following delays due to injury and transfer paperwork.
His 33 minutes in two appearances off the bench were his first since he played for the Oly Whites in France, and while he will go again this weekend, Bazeley said he would not be ready for 90 minutes against Vanuatu or Samoa.
“This next window is really important for us regarding getting the results, but we're also going to spend a lot of time working on our culture and our environment.