All Whites squad

All Whites squad

PHOENIX DOMINATES ALL WHITES WORLD CUP SQUAD

August 17, 2007

AUCKLAND - Eight players from Ricki Herbert�s Wellington Phoenix squad have been named in his All White squad for the Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October.

All three Phoenix goalkeepers make the cut, with U-20 stopper Jacob Spoonley making his first full international squad alongside his Wellington teammates Glen Moss and Mark Paston.

Goal scoring hero from the All Whites� last match � a 2-2 draw in Wales - Shane Smeltz is another Phoenix player to be included while the Hyundai A-League also has a ninth representative in Leo Bertos, who has been in fine pre-season form for the Perth Glory.

Seven players will return from Europe for the home and away matches including a predictable return for Blackburn captain Ryan Nelson, and Celtic�s Chris Killen. Simon Elliot, David Mulligan and Chris James will join them on the plane from Britain while Kris Bouckenooghe and Ivan Vicelich return from their Belgian and Dutch clubs respectively.

Waitakere�s Jeff Campbell keeps his place in the squad that travelled to Wales � and is one of three players � along with Canterbury�s Andy Barron and Auckland�s James Prichett � from the NZFC in Herbert�s squad.

Andy Boyens and Duncan Oughton return from Major League Soccer commitments in the US and Canada, and Jarrod Smith will also return from the US where he is close to finalising a deal with a new club.

Danny Hay�s international retirement leaves the captaincy temporarily open, while the last two places in the squad will be announced at a later date.

New Zealand Squad for World Cup Qualifiers (club � caps/goals)

Goalkeepers:
Glen MOSS (Wellington Phoenix � 7/0)
Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix � 14/0)
Jacob SPOONLEY (Wellington Phoenix � 0/0)
Defenders:
Andrew BOYENS (Toronto � 2/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix 13/0)
David MULLIGAN  (Sc**thorpe FC � 16/0)
Ryan NELSEN  (Blackburn Rovers 34/7)
Steven  OLD (Wellington Phoenix � 17/0)
James PRITCHETT  (Auckland City � 6 0)
Ben SIGMUND (Fawkner Blues � 2/0)
Midfielders:
Andrew BARRON (Canterbury United 8/1)
Leo BERTOS (Perth Glory 18/0)
Chris BOUCKENOOGHE  (Red Star Waasland �38/3)
Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix � 11/0)
Jeff CAMPBELL (Waitakere United � 17/3)
Jeremy CHRISTIE  (Wellington Phoenix � 10/0)
Simon ELLIOTT (Fulham FC � 54/8)
Chris JAMES (Fulham FC 7/1)
Duncan OUGHTON (Columbus Crew � 18/2)
Ivan VICELICH (RKC Waalwijk � 16/0)
Forwards: 
Chris KILLEN (Celtic FC 26/15)
Shane SMELTZ (Wellington Phoenix �16/3)
Jarrod SMITH (Unnattached � 8/0)

sanday2007-08-17 17:44:06

Pritch... Smith...  

They said Ricki was keeping two spots open. My guess he is holding those spots just in case he can perform a miracle with his negotiation skills.

and I see a defender, Nelsen, is third top goal scorer in the team . . . Admittedly we are a bit light on experienced international players up front, but it (goal scoring) is always an area of weakness. Hopefully Ricki's approach of trying to get players forward with the ball will start to pay dividends, and build on results like the Wales game with a few more goals.

I don't think there's any real suprises with the team. If Herbet can't get Reid or Mcglinchey i reckon Jeremy Brockie will get in there or Brent Fisher.

Well the likes of Smeltz and Killen if he makes the trip will have ample opportunity to add some goals to their tally. With 6 games against the island nations. If we average 2-3 goals a game. plus a couple at the home and away 5th place asian play off. There is 15-20 goals up for grabs here.

Who are the notable ommissions?  It really must have been a toss between Andy Barron and Jeremy Christie for the Phoenix as they both make this side and Ricky clearly rates Andy.

I'd have thought Fisher ahead of Smith who realistically wasn't as prolific at college level as Steven Holloway or Ross McKenzie and hasn't found a club.

So how are the Phoenix going to cope with eight of their players in this squad?
It will be good to see the likes of Nelsen and Killen in a white shirt.

I'm still a bit skeptical that we will ever see our strongest side on the park. Hope it happens though.

Yes I agree Valeo, I hope it does so happen that we are able to field our strongest team on the field for the WC qualifiers. I feel Ryan Nelsen will have alot of pressure applied by Blackburn not to turn out for the qualifiers against the oceania "minnows".  Chris Killen will have different pressure placed on him if he manages to establish himself in the starting lineup at Celtic.  Does he come 12000 miles across the globe to play the likes of the Solomon Islands or Vanuatu or does he stay playing club footie for Celtic and keep his first team spot?  When all said and done Blackburn and Celtic do pay their wages.  I don't envy Ryan or Chris in having to make a choice like that.  Playing for your country in a World Cup has to be a pinnacle of your international career. Club versus country debate has been raging for decades, and is a very personal choice I believe.

Two points;

What ever happened to Tamati Williams? Wasnt he one of the keepers in the 06 qualiefers?

Just signed for Auckland City, he was at Waikato FC but not sure he ever played.

Guess we wont be seeing him this year either then!

No, Wodg... whoops Nicholson is unlikely to be unseated.

rather williams is likely to be seated.......all season...

They said there where others two players to call in the team,

for ma Henderson and Pelter.