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Strongest squad New Zealand picks team for U.S., Confederations CupPosted: Tuesday June 03, 2003 2:01 PMWELLINGTON (Reuters) -- New Zealand will take its strongest squad to the Confederations Cup in France this month. Coach Mick Waitt has named a squad of 23 dominated by overseas based players, including 12 who played in the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico. "This is really the strongest possible team I could have named, with all players putting up their hands for selection," Waitt said. "Our goal is first and foremost getting something out of each of the three group games, starting with Japan. "Following on from that we must have an aim to qualify for the semifinals, a huge task in the company we will be in but a goal nonetheless. This is not about making up the numbers." New Zealand, 51st in FIFA's world rankings, belied its status as a minor soccer nation with a respectable 1-1 draw against Scotland in a friendly international last week. In addition to a large contingent playing in Australia's national competition, a growing number of New Zealanders are now with British, European and United States clubs. As part of their preparations for the tournament the All Whites will play U.S. club side the Virginia Beach Mariners on June 3 and then meet the U.S. national team in a friendly international in Richmond, Virginia on June 8. The match, only the second meeting between the two countries, serves as a final warmup for both squads before the Confederations Cup. New Zealand is drawn with Japan (June 18), Colombia (June 20) and France (June 22) in Group A in the June 18-29 tournament. Squad: Goalkeepers: Jason Batty (Caversham AFC), Mark Paston (Napier City Rovers), Michael Utting (Football Kingz) Defenders: Gerard Davis (Tampere), Danny Hay (Walsall), Ryan Nelsen (DC United), Scott Smith (Kingstonian), David Mulligan (Barnsley), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew), Chris Zoricich (Newcastle) Midfielders: Mark Burton (Football Kingz), Raf De Gregorio (Football Kingz), Simon Elliott (L.A. Galaxy), Noah Hickey (Tampere), Chris Jackson (Football Kingz), Aaran Lines (Ruch Chorzow), Ivan Vicelich (Roda JC), Gavin Wilkinson (Portland Timbers) Forwards: Kris Bouckenooghe (KSK Ronse), Vaughan Coveny (South Melbourne), Chris Killen (Oldham Athletic), Shane Smeltz (Adelaide City), Michael Wilson (Stanford University).
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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