Head coach Martin Bullock has named an 18-player New Zealand U-17 men’s squad to play three matches in Japan in mid-September.
The matches are part of a tournament to help the team prepare for November’s FIFA U-17 Mens World Cup in Indonesia.
Of the squad, 13 Australia and New Zealand-based players have been recalled from the squad that played two games against New Caledonia in Auckland in August.
Three additions to the squad for United Kingdom-based players Noah Dupont (West Bromwich Albion), Marley Leuluai (Burnley) and Adam Watson (Stoke City).
Main photo: New Zealand’s Luke Supyk leads the goal celebrations against Vanuatu during January’s OFC U-17 Championship in Fiji. New Zealand’s performance at the tournament gained them qualification to the World Cup. Photo: Kirk Corrie / Phototek.
Fixtures
Game to be played on Thursday September 14, 2023
New Zealand U-17 v Niigata regional team
Niigata Athletic Field, Niigata, 9pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Saturday September 16, 2023
New Zealand U-17 v Japan U-17
Niigata Athletic Field, Niigata, 6.30pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Monday September 18, 2023
New Zealand U-17 v Venezuela U-17
Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata, 9.15pm (NZT)
New Zealand squad
Max Argent (Perth Glory, Australia)
Ruben Argent (Perth Glory, Australia)
Victor Barbosa (Auckland United, New Zealand)
Josh Brown (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Anaru Cassidy (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Raphael Conway (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Luka Coveny (Western United, Australia)
Noah Dupont (West Bromwich Albion, England)
Matt Foord (Cashmere Technical, New Zealand)
Dylan Gardiner (Hamilton Wanderers, New Zealand)
Marley Leuluai (Burnley, England)
Mac Prathumphithak (Christchurch United, New Zealand)
Fletcher Pratt (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Luke Mitchell (Hamilton Wanderers, New Zealand)
Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
Nathan Walker (Fencibles United, New Zealand)
Adam Watson (Stoke City, England)
Head coach: Martin Bullock
Head coach Martin Bullock said:
“It is brilliant to lock in these games and let our players get more good experience competing in an international tournament ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November.
“Our two home games against New Caledonia were really useful but ahead of travelling to Indonesia later this year, having the chance to assemble a squad and play three tough games overseas is invaluable.
“These games also give us an opportunity to try out a few players who are either new to the environment, or who haven’t been in camp for a while, to see how everyone is tracking ahead of naming our squad for the world cup in a few months’ time.”
In August 2023, New Zealand U-17 played two games against the New Caledonia U-17 team which is also preparing for the World Cup in Indonesia.
New Zealand drew 1-1 with the Kagous in the first game and then beat them 3-0 in the second match.
READ MORE: New Zealand wrap up two-match U-17 series with 3-0 win against Kagous >>>>
About the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup
The following have confirmed their places at the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup:
- New Zealand and New Caledonia, through reaching the final of the OFC U-17 Championship in Fiji.
- Canada, United States, Mexico and Panama, who qualified through the 16-nation CONCACAF U-17 Championship tournament in Guatemala.
- Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Ecuador, through the South American U-17 Championship.
- Senegal, Morocco, Mali and Burkina Faso, through the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
- France, Germany, Poland, Spain and England, through the U-17 European Championship.
- Iran, South Korea, Japan and Uzbekistan, through the U-17 Asian Cup.
- Indonesia, as hosts
READ MORE: Venue and all 24 qualifers are now confirmed for FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup >>>>
READ MORE: Our previous stories about the New Zealand U-17 men’s team >>>>
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