Did I mention Ben Gibson, just the other day?
Seems he's keen to make himself available for the AWs. Not sure about Baze's 'very young' comment. At 22 only a year younger than Waine.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360588105/australia-born-striker-ben-gibson-emerges-future-option-all-whites-coach-darren-bazeley
At the same time, with the All Whites’ Oceania World Cup qualifying semifinal against Fiji in Wellington a month away, a new contender has emerged across the Tasman, having a breakout season with the Newcastle Jets.
Seems he's keen to make himself available for the AWs. Not sure about Baze's 'very young' comment. At 22 only a year younger than Waine.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360588105/australia-born-striker-ben-gibson-emerges-future-option-all-whites-coach-darren-bazeley
At the same time, with the All Whites’ Oceania World Cup qualifying semifinal against Fiji in Wellington a month away, a new contender has emerged across the Tasman, having a breakout season with the Newcastle Jets.
Ben Gibson has scored four goals and assisted four more in 16 appearances for the 11th-placed Jets in A-League Men this summer.
The 22-year-old’s return of 0.78 non-penalty goals plus assists per 90 minutes (NPG+A per 90) so far has only been bettered by one New Zealander in the history of the competition.
Attacking midfielder Marco Rojas had 0.89 NPG+A per 90 in the 2012-13 season with Melbourne Victory, then returned to the club four years later and had 0.95 NPG+A per 90.
Bazeley has been in contact with Gibson, who was born in Australia but is eligible to play for the All Whites as his mum was born in New Zealand.
“He’s another option that’s keen to be available,” Bazeley said. “At the moment, we just keep monitoring him.
“He's very young. Right now, he's probably not competing with Ben Waine and guys like that, but in two, three, four years’ time – what sort of player will he be?