VIDEO: Fulham teen ‘one for the future’ despite early exit from All Whites camp

All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley is confident Fulham midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias will return for future games despite his forced withdrawal from the squad for October’s internationals.

“He’s one for the future,” Bazeley told a media briefing ahead of the All Whites game against DR Congo in Spain.

Main photo: The New Zealand squad at their Spain training camp. Photo credit: NZ Football

Dibley-Dias (19) had been included in the national squad for the first time, after the Lower Hutt-born player was persuaded to align with New Zealand, despite being eligible to play for Brazil, Portugal and England.

Bazeley said: “It’s really disappointing for us, but for him as well. He was really excited to be part of it.

“He’s a player that we’ve been talking to for a while and he’s been progressing his own career at Fulham and now he’s in a pretty good place there

“He came in (to the All Whites training camp), met everybody, had a couple of days training, and was looking really good.

“Unfortunately, he sustained a slight muscle injury In the middle of the second session, and that pulled him out.

“He’s gone back to Fulham now to to be assessed by their physios and medical department.”

“We’re keeping in touch with him regularly and I hope to see him again soon.

“When I spoke to him just before he left he he said he really enjoyed it He loved the environment.”

Chris Wood: ‘He fitted in very well’

All Whites captain Chris Wood told the briefing: “He’s got a bright future ahead of him. From what I’ve seen in the couple of training sessions we’ve had, he’s got quality which is great to see.

“What I love most, he bonded with the squad so quickly and easily, and that’s down to his character, his personality. It’s very Kiwi-based and I think he fitted in very well, so I hope in future he’s back with us because he’s a great player.

“I think he’ll do extremely well in our environment and I think he’ll suit our team extremely well.”

Watch media briefing

Training camp goes well

Bazeley said the All Whites had enjoyed a good preparation ahead of the DR Congo match, with good training facilities in Spain.

He said a couple of players had needed help with minor injuries but he expected to have many options for his team selection.

Six substitutes are allowed in the friendly.

Fixtures

October window

Game to be played on Saturday October 14, 2023 (NZT)

New Zealand v DR Congo
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain, 5am (NZT)

Game to be played on Wednesday October 18, 2023 (NZT)

New Zealand v Australia
Gtech Community Stadium, London, 7.45am (NZT)

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Updated New Zealand squad

Changes made to the squad since it was first named:

Wing-back James McGarry suffered a hamstring injury when playing for his Aberdeen club, and has been replaced by Dalton Wilkins (Kolding, Denmark).

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Newcomer Matt Dibley-Dias returned to his Fulham club for treatment after he suffered an injury in training camp.

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Teenager goalkeeper Henry Gray has been added to the squad.

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Squads

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