All Whites World Cup Squad Announced

All Whites World Cup Squad Announced

Canterbury United’s Aaron Clapham and United States based Jeremy Christie are the notable selections in the 23 man All Whites squad named today to participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, beginning next month.

May 10, 2010

AUCKLAND - Canterbury United’s Aaron Clapham and United States based Jeremy Christie are the notable selections in the 23 man All Whites squad named today to participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, beginning next month.

Clapham came to national recognition after an outstanding season in the New Zealand Football Championship, where he was named Player of the Year.

Christie has been plying his trade in the United States with FC Tampa Bay Rowdies since being released from his contract with the Wellington Phoenix at the end of the 2009 A League season.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert says both players deserve their selection in the World Cup squad.

“Aaron has come in to this group and looked very comfortable. He is the type of player that should be around the international scene for many years and he has a big future in the professional game.”

“Jeremy has always been on the radar and I have kept in close contact with his coach at Tampa Bay. He has gone off shore to challenge himself and that has been good for him”

“I know him well and the coaching staff has worked with Jeremy over many years and we believe he will offer a great deal to the squad.”

Former Wellington Phoenix utility David Mulligan has been selected in the squad despite not having played any club football last season and being released by the Phoenix in April.

“David has been a victim of circumstances at the Phoenix where other players have come in and played well, keeping him out of the team. He has never stopped working hard however and his attitude has been first class.”

The other player to force his way into the group is Newcastle Jets new signing Jeremy Brockie. Brockie has battled back from a broken leg, suffered during the last A League season but proved his fitness to the coaching staff over the last ten days.

Herbert admits that leaving players out of the squad was tough.

“I’m not one to usually have sleepless nights but this has been a very difficult job settling on the final pieces of the jigsaw.”

“This group of players has worked tremendously hard over the last ten days and they have all performed creditably but unfortunately we can only take a squad of 23 to South Africa.”

Blackburn Rovers central defender Ryan Nelsen will captain the side in the republic. Nelsen will be joined by six other European based professionals, Rory Fallon (Plymouth), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town) and Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion).

17 members of the squad that played Bahrain in the two legged Asia/Oceania qualifiers last year have made the World Cup squad. The player who has not made the World Cup squad is Waitakere defender Aaron Scott.

New Zealand Football Chairman Frank Van Hattum, who was a member of the 1982 World Cup squad says he’s excited about this announcement.

“This is one of the finest group of players ever selected for a New Zealand team.”

“It is great to see so many of this team carving successful professional careers in Europe and with a large core of Wellington Phoenix professionals I believe we can go to South Africa with great hope.”

“This is the World Cup Finals and no game will be easy but Ricki has put together a skilful and committed team and with that little bit of luck that every team needs, this could be an exciting time for New Zealand football and New Zealand sport,” van Hattum said.

The squad reassembles in Auckland on May 19. They will travel to Melbourne on May 22 for a match against the Socceroos at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 24.

Following that match the squad will travel to Austria for a pre World Cup camp and matches against Serbia and Slovenia, before arriving in South Africa on June 6.

The 23 man All Whites squad for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa 2010 is:

James Bannatyne - Team Wellington
Andy Barron - Team Wellington
Leo Bertos - Wellington Phoenix
Andy Boyens - New York Red Bulls
Jeremy Brockie - Newcastle Jets
Tim Brown - Wellington Phoenix (vice captain)
Jeremy Christie - FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
Aaron Clapham - Canterbury United
Simon Elliott - unattached
Rory Fallon - Plymouth Argyle
Chris Killen - Middlesbrough
Tony Lochhead - Wellington Phoenix
Michael McGlinchey - Motherwell
Glen Moss - Melbourne Victory
David Mulligan - unattached
Ryan Nelsen - Blackburn Rovers (captain)
Mark Paston - Wellington Phoenix
Winston Reid - FC Midtjylland (Denmark)
Ben Sigmund - Wellington Phoenix
Shane Smeltz - Gold Coast United
Tommy Smith - Ipswich Town
Ivan Vicelich - Auckland City
Chris Wood - West Bromwich Albion

Team Management
Ricki Herbert - Head Coach
Brian Turner - Assistant Coach
Raul Blanco - Technical Advisor
Clint Gosling - Goalkeeping Coach
Roland Jeffrey - Physiotherapist
Wade Irvine – Massage Therapist
Celeste Geertsema – Team Doctor
Kenny McMillan - Sport Scientist
Chris Bradley - Technical Analysis
Chris Wardle - Kit Manager
Phil Warbrick - Manager
Gordon Irving - Media Liaison
Jamie Scott – Media Liaison

ENDS

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