New Zealand 'raring to go' against Mexico and United States, says ...

8 Sep 2024

Friends of Football

New Zealand raring to go against Mexico and United States says

The All Whites are “raring to go” for their international friendlies against Mexico and the United States, head coach Darren Bazeley says.Bazeley said the squad had prepared well at their training camp in California despite having to make injury-force

The All Whites are “raring to go” for their international friendlies against Mexico and the United States, head coach Darren Bazeley says.

Bazeley said the squad had prepared well at their training camp in California despite having to make injury-forced changes to the squad in the lead-up to Sunday’s game against Mexico.

Withdrawals from the squad were midfielder Sarpreet Singh (minor injury), defender Tyler Bindon (concussion) and full back Dalton Wilkins (injury).

Brought into the squad were Auckland FC striker Logan Rogerson, Charlotte defender Bill Tuiloma and Wellington Phoenix fullback Sam Sutton.

“It’s always disappointing to lose players in the build-up to the camp,” Bazeley said.

“Obviously, we lost Sarpreet and Tyler, you know, just before coming here.

“And, also, Dalton picked up that injury yesterday so that’s disappointing to lose (them) but we’ve replaced them with good players.

“What we have now, we have good depth in lots of positions so now it’s an opportunity for those players (coming in).”

Bazeley said the side’s main priority was to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but the games against Mexico and United States would provide a measure of the All Whites’ progress.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to test ourselves … make sure that we see where we’re at, … how close are we to getting ready to beat one of these bigger teams.

“So it’s a good challenge, one we’re ready for.”

New Zealand have selected a squad that is considered one of the strongest ever, including players attached to clubs in the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, and France’s LIgue 1.

READ NOW: All Whites coach Darren Bazeley: ‘We face some tough decisions’ >>>>

READ MORE: Mexican squad named to play All Whites in friendly international >>>>

Squads

New Zealand

Name/caps/goals/club

Goalkeepers

Max Crocombe (9/0) Burton Albion, EnglandAlex Paulsen (1/0) Auckland FC, New Zealand (on loan from AFC Bournemouth)Oli Sail (9/0) Perth Glory, Australia

Defenders

Bill Tuiloma (40/4) Charlotte, United StatesMichael Boxall (49/0) Minnesota United, United StatesLiberato Cacace (25/1) Empoli FC, ItalyTim Payne (37/2) Wellington Phoenix, New ZealandNando Pijnaker (19/0) Sligo Rovers, Republic of IrelandTommy Smith (55/2) Auckland FC, New ZealandFinn Surman (5/1) Portland Timbers, United StatesSam Sutton (3/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Midfielders

Joe Bell (18/1) Viking FK, NorwayMatthew Garbett (22/3) NAC Breda, NetherlandsBen Old (8/1) AS Saint Etienne, FranceAlex Rufer (13/0) Wellington Phoenix, New ZealandMarko Stamenić (21/1) Olympiacos, Greece (on loan from Nottingham Forest)

Forwards

Kosta Barbarouses (60/7) Wellington Phoenix, New ZealandElijah Just (26/2) SKN St. Pölten, Austria (on loan from AC Horsens)Logan Rogerson (9/1), Auckland FC, New ZealandBen Waine (16/5) Plymouth Argyle, EnglandChris Wood (74/34) Nottingham Forest, England

Head coach: Darren Bazeley

Mexico

Name/caps/goals/club

Goalkeepers

Luis Malagon (4/0) Club América, MexicoRaul Rangel (1/0) C.D. Guadalajara, MexicoAlex Padilla (0/0) Athletic Bilbao, Spain

Defenders

Julian Araujo (13/0) AFC Bournemouth, EnglandIsrael Reyes (16/2) Club América, MexicoAlan Mozo (2/0) C.D. Guadalajara, MexicoCesar Montes (47/1) Almeria, SpainJohan Vasquez (26/1) Genoa, ItalyVictor Guzman (4/0) Monterrey, MexicoJesus Angulo (14/0) Tigres, MexicoJesus Gallardo (98/2) Toluca, Mexico

Midfielders

Luis Romo (49/3) Cruz Azul, MexicoFidel Ambriz (1/0) Monterrey, MexicoErik Lira (4/0) Cruz Azul, MexicoCarlos Rodriguez (52/0) Cruz Azul, MexicoLuis Chavez (34/4) Dynamo Moscow, RussiaSebastian Cordova (17/3) Tigres, MexicoOrbelin Pineda (73/10) AEK Athens, Greece

Forwards

Diego Lainez (26/3) Tigres, MexicoJulián Quiñones (8/2) Al-Qadisiyah, Saudi ArabiaRoberto Alvarado (45/5) C.D. Guadalajara, MexicoMarcelo Flores (3/0) Tigres, MexicoCesar Huerta (10/1) Pumas UNAM, MexicoGuillermo Martinez (6/2) Pumas UNAM, MexicoSantiago Gimenez (30/4) Feyenoord, NetherlandsHenry Martin (43/9) Club América, Mexico

Head coach: Javier Aguirre