Tournament favourites New Zealand have named three senior internationals in their 18-strong squad to compete at next month's Oceania Under 20 men's football Championship in Vanuatu.
The Young All Whites did not compete in the 2014 edition due to their automatic qualification as host of the Under 20 World Cup in 2015, where they reached the knockout rounds.
Wellington Phoenix striker Logan Rogerson will lead the line for the New Zealand Under 20s. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Auckland based midfielders Clayton Lewis and Moses Dyer were a key part of that campaign while coach Darren Bazeley will also have the services of Wellington Phoenix striker Logan Rogerson, who made his All Whites debut at the Oceania Nations Cup in Port Moresby in June.
"They've been to the islands as well, recently, and played in that environment but when you look through the squad we've got some very good, exciting players, we've got some good leaders in there and we've got some players that have got some experience playing to a reasonable level, senior-wise, and internationally I think there's 11 players that have put the shirt on before which is great, it means we're going to have that experience before we step onto the pitch," he said.
New Zealand are in Group B with Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands and Tahiti.
Cook Islands qualified by winning the OFC Preliminary and, along with the Solomon Islands, are bringing one of the least experienced sides to Vanuatu.
Cook Islands players celebrate after qualifying for the OFC Under 20 Championship. Photo: Oceania Football
Tahiti's line-up includes 11 players that took New Zealand to penalties in last year's OFC Under 17 final, while much of the squad also took part in the Pacific Games.
In Group A, Vanuatu are joined by Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.
19 year old midfielder Bong Kalo is expected to be key player for the hosts, while Mataiasi Toma will captain Fiji, having been a part of their squad at last year's Under 20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Meanwhile Papua New Guinea defender Felix Komolong played every minute of the Kapul's five OFC Nations Cup games in June
The OFC winners will qualify for next year's Under 20 World Cup in Korea.
New Zealand's Jeremy Brockie is stopped by Papua New Guinea's Felix Komolong during the OFC Nations Cup in June. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
