New Zealand U-23s - Quali Whites

With Wood already out, and Lewis effectively in home detention:

Crocombe, Payne, Boxall, Cacace, Bell, Rufer, Singh, Kosta is 8 players. Which other over 23s need to be there? 

The u23s guys plus a group of 8 like that is more than enough to take the Nations Cup home. Des went to the Pacific Games with a very understrength u23 team and comfortably beat senior sides from all the other OFC nations. 

Though we probably won't get the luxury of taking Boxall as the MLS is still ongoing. And I'm sure others of that 8 won't be making the trip as it is not in an official FIFA window and/or it will be better for them to be focusing on their club careers at the moment. 

Going to be very interesting to see the squad Baze goes for and why. 

The whole it is hard to win over there is true historically, we are also in a position of strength that we have not had before.

You could pick a full u23 side of professional NZ players - not sure we've ever had that luxury before.

MetalLegNZ

The whole it is hard to win over there is true historically, we are also in a position of strength that we have not had before.

You could pick a full u23 side of professional NZ players - not sure we've ever had that luxury before.

So good to think even our youth teams are kicking on in the pro game. Even if results don't show it, both the men's and women's sides have come on in leaps and bounds at all levels over the last 15-20 years. 

I'm sure that the Kingz, Knights and Nix are a big big part of it.

MetalLegNZ

The whole it is hard to win over there is true historically, we are also in a position of strength that we have not had before.

You could pick a full u23 side of professional NZ players - not sure we've ever had that luxury before.

The 2021 Tokyo 18 man squad were all in pro environments. Helped by yes it effectively being an U24 team, with those Olympics postponed a year.

Jamie Searle (2nd GK) was on a Swansea youth deal. Dane Ingham (Unattached FC).

Reserve players Paulsen, Sutton & Old were all likely in the Weenix Academy. Initial reserve Garbett got promoted to the main squad, when Michael Boxall pulled out. By then it was then too late to replace Boxall, outside the overall 22 players.

https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/four-a-league-stars-make-new-zealands-olywhites-olympic-squad-566490