Coach Darren Bazeley announces squad for FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup

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National U-20 men’s head coach Darren Bazeley has named a 21-player squad for this month’s FIFA U-20 World Cup to be played in Argentina.

Of the squad, 16 players were in the side that won the OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti in September.

Ten of the squad featured in the U-22 squad that met China in the two-match series in March.

Thirteen players are currently based in Aotearoa New Zealand, with eight players playing overseas in Canada, England, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden.

“I’m really pleased with the talent we have been able to assemble for the tournament,” Bazeley said.

“These are a great bunch of lads, playing around the world, and I know the whole squad can’t wait to get to Argentina to test ourselves against the best.”

Wellington Phoenix have nine players in the squad — first team squad member Finn Surman and eight academy players, including Jackson Manuel (currently playing for Western Springs).

Phoenix Academy technical director Paul Temple will travel to Argentina as one of Bazeley’s assistant coaches.

New Zealand U-20 men’s squad

Goalkeepers
Henry Gray, currently on trial in England
Alby Kelly-Heald, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Kees Sims, Ljungskile SK, Sweden

Defenders
Isaac Hughes, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Jackson Jarvie, Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand
Lukas Kelly-Heald, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Finn Linder, Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada
Everton O’Leary, Birkenhead United, New Zealand
Adam Supyk, Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand
Finn Surman, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Aaryan Raj, Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand

Midfielders
Fin Conchie, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Jay Herdman, Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada
Noah Karunaratne, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Jackson Manuel, Western Springs, New Zealand
Dan McKay, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Forwards
Oliver Colloty, currently on trial in England
Kian Donkers, NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands
Oli Fay, Ljungskile SK, Sweden
Norman Garbett, Potenza Calcio, Italy
Ben Wallace, Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

Head coach
Darren Bazeley

Eligibility

To be eligible to play in the tournament, players must have been born between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2007 (inclusive).

Each participating national body nominated a preliminary squad of 22-50 players. From that preliminary squad, NZ Football were required to name a final squad of 21 players (including three goalkeepers) by the FIFA deadline.

Players in the final squad can be replaced by a player from the preliminary squad in the event of a serious injury or illness up to 24 hours prior to the kick-off of the team’s first match.