Young stars enter squad to play Iran

NZOOM - New Zealand Soccer Coach Mick Waitt has named an extended squad of 32 to prepare for home and away matches against Iran in late March and early April.

The matches pit the champions of Oceania against the Asian champions with the New Zealand leg played at North Harbour Stadium on Friday March 28 at 7.45pm.

The features of the 32-man squad are the reintroduction of Kingz goalkeeper Michael Utting, the inclusion of former U17 international and current Manawatu defender Sanjay Singh and the almost dominance of offshore players.

Utting returns as one of four goal keepers in the squad and Waitt has clear expectations of the Kingz keeper.

"Michael has shown a commitment to getting things right off the park as well as on, which was always the desired end result after his exclusion from the Nations Cup camp," Waite said. "New Zealand Soccer made it clear at the time that Michael needed to address some personal issues and that every support would be given to help him get things back on track.

"I have stayed in contact with Michael on a regular basis and have obviously been watching him perform for the Kingz. It is now up to Michael - just as it is up to the other 31 players, to convince myself and Ricki (Herbert) that he is ready for international football and all the off field responsibility that goes with that honour."

In picking such a large squad Waitt has indicated the pool of talent that is under consideration for these matches and the Confederations Cup beyond.

"Clearly the 32 named players are top of mind at present but this is not an exclusive group, merely an indication of our thinking at present. Players can still play their way in or out of calculations over the coming weeks and months.

"It is my intention to select the strongest possible team for Iran and then for the Confederations Cup in France, it is up to the players to force their way in or stay there as the case may be."

Four players from the 1999 U17 World Championships in New Zealand have made the selection with James Pritchett and Sanjay Singh join David Mulligan and Brent Fisher for the first time.

Both youngsters have impressed the All Whites coach with Pritchett in his debut season with the Kingz while Singh comes straight from Southern Trust National League side Manawatu.

"James has come on well under Ken at the Kingz and is clearly an option for the Confederations Cup and beyond with his pace an asset to any team he plays for," Waitt said.

"Sanjay's selection is recognition of a good season last year under Colin Tuaa. He is an intelligent player with good vision. His naming sends a message to all others in the Southern Trust National League that performances at that level are being monitored. Both are players to watch for the future."

Another new name is Mike Wilson, a former Wellington player now in the USA at Stanford University, the same college that Ryan Nelsen attended before moving on to the MLS with DC United.

The squad will be reduced to 20 for the matches against Iran while the final squad for the Confederations Cup will be 23 and is likely to be named in early May 2003.

Mick Waitt is currently in Europe finalising plans for the Confederations Cup and to attend the official draw on Thursday morning.

Waitt has already confirmed plans for a match against 32nd ranked FIFA country Croatia in Zagreb on June 5 to follow on from the match against Scotland on May 27.