All Whites in the Oceania World Cup Qualifying Finals – Squad Yarns & Preview
In 1982, it was China. In 2009, it was Bahrain. In 2025, it will (hopefully) be Fiji followed by either Tahiti or New Caledonia. Among the many consequences of FIFA expanding the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 teams is that there’s now room for an automatic entry from Oceania, so what used to be the routine early part of qualifying has become the be-all and end-all. The champion of Oceania qualifies directly to the World Cup. There is still an intercontinental playoff thingamajig but that’s become the territory of the runner-up in Oceania, aka the beaten finalist.
For context, the All Whites have not lost a game within their confederation since 2012, when they got popped 2-0 by New Caledonia in the semi-finals of that year’s OFC Nations Cup – the game dubbed the Horror in Honiara. Chris Wood, Kosta Barbarouses, and Tommy Smith all played in that match. None of them have experienced anything like it since because New Zealand is currently on a 30-game unbeaten streak against our Oceania brethren with 27 wins and 3 draws (two of those draws were away second-legs after comfortable home wins, the other was the 2016 Nations Cup final which NZ won on penalties). NZ has scored 97 goals and 11 conceded across those 30 games, with 22 clean sheets. It’s been emphatic.
To take it even further, the All Whites have won all seven OFC games under Darren Bazeley’s leadership, scoring 34 goals and only conceding one (shout out to Vanuatu’s Jordy Tasip). During the 30-game streak, the All Whites are 8/8 when playing in Aotearoa against Oceania nations... with 37 goals scored and 4 conceded. The last time, in fact the only time, that New Zealand has ever lost a men’s international at home against a current member of OFC was a 3-1 defeat against New Caledonia in Auckland in 1968. Suddenly that’s the only hurdle between the All Whites and a third World Cup appearance. No need for Wynton Rufer or Rory Fallon to bring the magic this time... although a Chris Wood hat-trick would still be nice.
It almost seems too easy, right? Not enough risk, not enough jeopardy. Well, it’s the same path that the Football Ferns and all the NZ age grade teams, men and women, have had to traverse in order to qualify for all of their World Cups ever since Australia left the confederation so from that perspective the senior men’s World Cup was the exception. But of course there’s no denying this is a far simpler journey than the legendary quests of yore, lacking in the same sense of glorious achievement and deservedness. Then again, who’s to say we wouldn’t have qualified anyway? Danny Hay’s side were desperately unlucky four years ago when they fell at the final hurdle, losing 1-0 to Costa Rica with a starting eleven that read:
Sail; Kirwan, Tuiloma, Reid, Pijnaker, Cacace; Bell, Lewis, Garbett; Greive, Wood
That was a good team but it was also a young and inexperienced team that has been thoroughly upgraded in every position over the proceeding four years – either by players’ own development or because someone better has come along (the exception being Winston Reid but, as good as he was, ol’ Winnie’s body was barely hanging on at that point). Even Chris Wood has found a new level in the intervening time, currently serving up his finest work at age 33 with no indication of slowing down any time soon.
That Costa Rica game was brutally close and it wouldn’t have taken much to shift the scales. If the AWs hadn’t conceded that early goal, if they’d gotten a little more favour with a few refereeing decisions, if Sarpreet Singh had been fit... then they might have won and had the 2022 World Cup to let the world know about the world class talent brewing in Aotearoa. Realistically, that game arrived too soon for them... but they’re ready now. While the method of qualification might not compare to the 1982 or 2010 incarnations, the talent in this squad puts them both in its shadow. The clubs that these guys play for. The trophies that they’ve won. The transfer fees that they’ve commanded. This is a squad worthy of the opportunity to show what they can do on the brightest stage there is... and thanks to a bit of FIFA greediness it’s right there for the taking. Yeah, okay Mr Infantino, if you insist.
Going back through history, there have been plenty of short straws dealt to New Zealand when it comes to World Cup qualifying. Like how about an intercontinental playoff against Mexico ahead of the 2014 edition? That’s a nation that made the knockouts in every World Cup between 1994 and 2018. Little old Enzed trying to earn the 32nd spot and having to face a perennial top-20 team. Already mentioned a few of the tough breaks that went against the All Whites against Costa Rica last time. And who can forget the Peruvian air force giving the lads an early wake-up call or the fireworks that fans let off in the middle of the night outside the hotel for the 2018 attempt? All you kiwi footballing matua and whaea reading this are probably already having flashbacks to a pair of very dodgy penalties awarded against the lads when they played Kuwait in the 1982 campaign, leading to a spectator rushing the pitch and throwing a can at the referee. That lot needed 15 games across nine different countries to qualify – surely they did enough hard yards to earn qualifying karma to last us for generations.
Not that any of this even matters. This isn’t some kind of moral test. We’ve got a squad that deserves to stand alongside the 1982 and 2010 crews but even if we didn’t there’d still be a World Cup spot on the line and we’d still be entitled to it with a victorious jaunt through Oceania (and if we’re not victorious then whichever team out of Fiji, New Caledonia, and Tahiti succeeds will be entitled to it instead). If FIFA want to be dumb with their showcase tournament and Oceania gets some collateral benefit then sweet as. Play it as it lays. The world of football is far too chaotic to do anything other than to take what’s on offer without asking questions.
As to the squad that Darren Bazeley has picked, there are no reservations. There was no hesitation. Yet again he’s picked as strong a group as he possibly could with the lone exception being Finn Surman who has business to take care of with the Portland Timbers. The MLS isn’t pausing for this international break so he’d have to miss a game, possibly two with the travel, in order to partake. Michael Boxall can do that because he’s been captaining Minnesota United as a club legend and playing awesome. He can duck out for a week and then pick up where he left off. Finn Surman hasn’t earned that status yet so it’s best for him to hang back and try lock down the starting spot he’s been given to begin the MLS season. Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, and especially Tyler Bindon are all in tremendous form as central defenders. She’ll be right, mate.
Beyond that, Max Mata might well have pipped Ben Waine to the backup striker spot if he hadn’t gotten injured a week before the squad was announced. Elijah Just also got injured a few weeks prior, subbed off in the first half of SKN St Pölten’s first game back after the winter break with a hamstring strain... but he’s been picked so clearly he’s on the mend. As is Ben Old, who hasn’t played since tearing a lateral knee ligament in training with Saint-Étienne straight after the October international window. We’re up to five months with that injury but Oldie did recently get back into full training with ASSE and there’s hope that he could make his comeback against PSG at the end of March. Perhaps even sooner. Nevertheless, it’s best to let him ease back in without the global travel miles.
And of course Ryan Thomas remains unavailable having only this month made his first start of the season for PEC Zwolle. Thommo’s never ruled out playing for the national team again but when you’ve had three separate season-ending knee surgeries before your 30th birthday it makes sense to want an extended spell of fitness under your belt before even considering adding more footy to the schedule.
Other than that it’s full strength, full steam ahead. Darren Bazeley’s never one for rotation where he can help it, preferring to take advantage of every chance he can get for him and his staff to work with their top dudes. We saw that in the previous window when they could easily have gotten what they needed to get without needing to add any airpoints to the collections of Chris Wood or Libby Cacace or Matt Garbett or whoever. But he picked the big dogs anyway and they won 8-1 against Vanuatu and 8-0 against Samoa.
That tells you how Bazeley operates but it also tells you something else: these guys love representing their country. Chris Wood’s long since built up a reputation for partaking whenever possible but that attitude is far from unique these days. They’re all like that. Cacace has played every single game since Costa Rica except the one he was suspended for. Competition for places is part of that – there’s enough quality going around that nobody’s spot is entirely safe (except maybe Wood and Cacace). There are players who don’t even get picked who would have been first eleven guys in previous eras. That’s just where we’re at now. But it’s more than just selection jeopardy that keeps these hombres turning up time and time again. They love it. There’s camaraderie in the group and they can feel that they’re building towards something. There’s respect for what the jersey represents and the history it entails. One way or another, that history is about to gain another chapter.
GOALKEEPERS
Max Crocombe – Burton Albion, ENG (13 caps/0 goals)
Alex Paulsen – Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (3/0)
Oli Sail – Perth Glory, AUS (9/0)
Righto, so what do we have here then? The usual trio is what. Max Crocombe has been the number one for the past year but everyone kinda knows it’s only a matter of time until Alex Paulsen overtakes him. Crocombe’s earned this spot though, it’s only fair to let him ride it out – in 10.5 games under Baze (blame Qatar for the 0.5), Crocs has conceded a mere six times. Lots of OFC games in there but he also kept cleanies against Malaysia and Tunisia while only allowing one against USA, Egypt, and Ireland. He was in goal for the 3-0 defeat against Mexico but that’s his only blip. The other times that the All Whites have conceded multiple times in a match under Bazeley or Danny Hay (so, tracking back to 2019) were with Stefan Mariovic (once), Oli Sail (twice), or Michael Woud (three times) in goal.
Crocombe’s been great again for Burton Albion in England’s League One. Player of the Season at the club last time and nothing’s changed (they tried to bench him for a keeper with better distribution to begin the term but that only lasted about a week until Crocombe reclaimed his rightful place). The club’s still mired in the relegation zone although they did recently go on a lovely run of results to get them back with a chance of pulling through. Not sure Crocs could sustain a relegation and still be NZ’s number one but we’ll let it play out naturally. He’s giving Burton hope with his shot-stopping.
Meanwhile, Alex Paulsen (who has never conceded a goal as an All Whites keeper) continues to be the best goalie in the A-League and last week he fixed the only thing that was lacking in his Auckland FC performances by saving a penalty against the Newcastle Jets. The Black Knights are cruising towards the minor premiership and look like dead-set championship favourites with a style of play that’ll suit finals footy as much as it does league footy. We know how good Paulsen’s been in the A-League though. It’s what he does next season that’ll be more educational. 2025-26 will be enormous for all of these players (and more) as it leads straight into the World Cup that the All Whites are trying to qualify for. If Paulsen gets established in Europe, he’ll probably be the number one at that tournament (assuming we get there, no jinxes). If he catches a wobble or two in trying to get acclimatised then who knows. Feels like he’ll probably play the semi-final here and Crocombe will do the final but frankly either way is fine.
Which brings us to Oliver Sail. It has been a very weird campaign for that fella at Perth Glory. It was a very weird one last time too. In both seasons he’s been dropped for an extended spell and then won his job back. Gotta say glowing things about his professionalism and his mental fortitude... but his actual goalkeeping has been up and down. To be honest, he’s bloody lucky to have made this squad.
Kees Sims recently had a run of starts with GAIS during the Swedish League Cup. Henry Gray is probably a year or two away but he’s putting together another excellent loan spell in England. Zac Jones never gets mentioned in these chats but he’s been superb yet again for Haverfordwest in the Welsh top division. Even Alby Kelly-Heald at the Wellington Phoenix, he’s mostly been pretty good since claiming the starting role ahead of import keeper Josh Oluwayemi. And up until a couple weeks ago, Nik Tzanev was going magnificently at Northampton Town... however, he’s been unfairly dropped for the last few matches which doesn’t aid his cause. That situation was explained a little deeper in the latest Flying Kiwis yarn.
So why has Oli Sail been picked, despite his sketchy inconsistencies, ahead of the rest of them? Probably because this is third-choice goalkeeper duty we’re talking about. Whoever gets picked isn’t going to play. Henry Gray doesn’t need to miss games. Kees Sims is trying to impress during his preseason. Tzanev needs to win his spot back. Jones is a bit too obscure. AKH is a bit too young. Poor old Michael Woud hasn’t even played for AFC yet so he’s not in the frame. It’s Sail’s leadership, attitude, and perspective that’s needed to get the best out of Crocombe and Paulsen for this particular window. When they’re playing in Europe later in the year, it should be a different story.
DEFENDERS
Tyler Bindon – Reading FC, ENG (13/0)
Michael Boxall – Minnesota United, USA (53/0)
Liberato Cacace – Empoli, ITA (31/1)
Tim Payne - Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (41/2)
Nando Pijnaker - Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (23/0)
Storm Roux – Central Coast Mariners, AUS (15/0)
Tommy Smith - Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (56/2)
Francis De Vries - Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (7/1)
Having already mentioned why Finn Surman’s not here, there’s no need for repetition. Luckily there wasn’t even a decision to be made regarding a replacement because Tommy Smith was already handy. Smith has been the perennial 23rd man in these squads for a couple of years. He’s started 4/20 games under Bazeley and the AWs haven’t won any of them, plus he was sent off in one (vs China in Feb 2023). The emergence of Tyler Bindon has reduced the need for Smithy on the pitch, however his immense mana within the group remains valuable enough for Coach Baze to keep him around.
Of course, since the last window he’s had an extended (and impressive) run as a starter for Auckland FC alongside Nando Pijnaker which more than justifies him sliding into Surman’s place. Smith and Wood are the last remaining players from the 2010 World Cup squad so it’d be something legendary if they’re able to bookend their careers in such a way. With the open Oceania spot and the way Chris Wood’s been going, Woodsy will probably fancy his chances of being there in 2030 as a 38-year-old. This’ll surely be the last tango for Smith though – who is three appearances away from climbing into the top-10 for All Whites caps (Chris Wood is nine away from becoming number tahi).
Smith’s been playing well. Nando Pijnaker’s been playing amazingly alongside him. Pijnaker does still have the occasional clumsy moment but he looks fitter than ever before and really seems to have figured out his game. He was already getting there with Sligo Rovers and the move to Auckland has only enhanced the trend. Makes you wonder if a jump back to Europe could be on the cards despite him signing a three-year deal with AFC. But don’t go thinking that Nando’s a locked-in starter or anything because Tyler Bindon predominantly plays LCB for Reading and the form that he’s in leaves even Nando in the dust.
Bindon’s consistent excellence is astonishing for someone of his age. He’s 20 years old playing like a veteran, a trait matched only by Libby Cacace in the last decade of kiwi defenders. Bindon’s already earned a Premier League transfer – in fact he could even be lining up for Champions League games alongside Chris Wood (and maybe Marko Stamenic) next season – and if anything he’s only raised his game since that move happened. Every week produces further evidence why he could just go straight into the Nottingham Forest first team squad. He’s the most exciting youngster in kiwi football at the moment and don’t think for a second that Darren Bazeley, a League One aficionado himself, isn’t paying close attention.
If Baze ever tries to play Bindon as a right-back again then he ought to face a court of law... fortunately that’s not going to happen because Bindon is already a first eleven centre-back. He’s started eight of the last eleven matches and two of the others he missed due to injury. The only question is whether he starts alongside Michael Boxall or Nando Pijnaker. Keep in mind that Boxy, at age 36, has made consecutive MLS Team of the Matchday selections so he’s been tearing it up with Minnesota United as well. Every one of these central defenders has been playing great for their club teams. What a lovely conundrum to have.
Granted, that does meant there’s no place for George Stanger who has been in excellent touch for Ayr United trying to steer them towards promotion to the Scottish Premiership. Stanger was Nando Pijnaker’s U20s defensive partner once upon a time when they shut down Erling Haaland. Stanger’s going to have to wait until Smith and Boxall retire before he’s in the mix. Bill Tuiloma actually started alongside Winston Reid for the Costa Rica playoff - selected ahead of Boxall, Smith, and Pijnaker - but he’s not even in the picture these days as he sits gathering rust on the bench for Charlotte FC (with occasional spots for their reserve team to prove that he’s way too good for that level).
The fullbacks are straightforward. It’s Tim Payne and Storm Roux on the right, Libby Cacace and Francis De Vries on the left. Coincidentally, Payne and Roux have both been a bit average lately as their teams struggle through rebuilds... but they’re experienced dudes who’ll do what they need to do. Payne’s been top choice for ages. Roux got himself back in the race over the past couple windows. Dalton Wilkins misses out yet again, as someone who can cover both sides, thanks to another inconveniently timed injury. Ronan Wynne could nudge into contention if he continues his progress at Atlanta United. Niko Kirwan’s hanging around if needed. Callan Elliot would have a chance to unseat Roux as backup if he was getting more minutes at AFC. There are options lurking out there.
Same deal on the left where Libby Cacace is concreted into the starting team but there’s a whole flurry of contenders trying to be his backup... albeit that flurry of contenders has found some order lately. James McGarry is injured and wouldn’t have been picked on form anyway. Already mentioned Wilkins. Lukas Kelly-Heald is in the queue but not close enough to the front of it. Really, it’s between Francis De Vries and Sam Sutton for one spot and FDV was undeniable with his all those assists he’s been dishing out to his AFC buddies. Unlucky for Sutts but that’s how it goes in a competitive international squad.
Just, you know, maybe pump the breaks on the idea of starting FDV at the back and Libby Cacace further forward. It’s true that Cacace’s played a lot of left wing for Empoli this season. He’s also played a lot of left centre-back, by the way. But that’s all for a relegation-threatened Serie A team that can’t score goals. Cacace can cross and so can many others in this team. The concept of FDV whipping in deliveries towards Chris Wood is enticing but we don’t need to get carried away to carve out room for an A-League player, no matter how well he may be performing. Not when there’s already a conundrum over how to fit Bell, Stamenic, Garbett, Singh, Just, McCowatt, etc. all in the same team. (the answer is: you don’t, because keeping an impactful bench is also important).
MIDFIELDERS
Joe Bell – Viking FK, NOR (22/1)
Matthew Garbett – NAC Breda, NED (28/5)
Alex Rufer - Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (18/0)
Sarpreet Singh – União de Leiria, POR (16/2)
Marko Stamenic – Olympiacos, GRE (27/2)
Yeah so Matt Garbett last played a competitive game of football on 15 December. Since then he’s been iced out of the NAC Breda squad as the coach tries to streamline his group into something more akin to his ideals – which involve a lot of positional discipline and structure and the freewheelin’ Garbett simply does not fit within such rigid outlines. There was that yarn about him being dropped after reacting poorly to a benching earlier in the season but that’s got nothing to do with this. The coach himself said it was a ploy to get a response from MG. The reason he’s been dropped is because he doesn’t fit the coach’s style, simple as that. Nothing personal – he’s still training with the U21s (and could get some game time with them). With that in mind, Garbett is very lucky to have been picked for this squad... not that it’s any surprise because Bazeley loves him enough to have made him captain at the Olympics. Plus Garbs has a great record of popping up with big goal contributions and the NAC Breda situation isn’t really his fault.
Joe Bell had a rough time in Denmark but has reinvigorated his career since moving back to Viking FK in Norway. They finished third in the Eliteserien last year with Bellinho one of their key players. The 2025 term hasn’t started yet but they’re deep into their preseason friendly schedule so match fitness shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Anyway, there’s defensive midfield cover with Alex Rufer having earned his way into the national team over the last few tours. Rufer gives them the ability to play a true double pivot which has genuinely helped them against stronger nations (the 1-1 draw with USA was the main example, the only instance where both he and Bell started). That then allows Marko Stamenic more licence further forward, or he can play deeper so that Garbett and Sarpreet Singh can both fit into the line-up. Good options. No worries.
Stamenic isn’t getting the minutes he’d like for Olympiacos but he’s hanging around and doing what he can. Had a strong ninety minutes against OFI Crete recently. Olympiacos are very much on track for a league and cup double which would make it three years in a row with three different clubs in three different countries that Marko Stamenic has achieved that feat. Gotta be a record. As for Singh, he’s been rotated around a little bit for UD Leiria but for the most part he’s been really good for them and it would seem that he’s over the worst of his injury issues. Happy days. Getting his career back on track at a fortuitous time.
Ryan Thomas is not going to be available for the All Whites until he’s had an extended run of fitness for PEC Zwolle so don’t even worry about him yet. Maybe keep the name in the back of your mind for the 2026 World Cup though. You never know. Matt Dibley-Dias is back playing for Fulham U21s after injuries and selection ruined his Northampton Town loan spell, setting him back in the queue. Cam Howieson isn’t getting heaps of action for Auckland FC. Matt Sheridan and Fin Roa Conchie are still too raw. The midfield kinda picks itself here (although it would be nice to see someone of Tyler Bindon’s age rise into contention soon).
FORWARDS
Kosta Barbarouses – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (65/7)
Elijah Just – SKN St. Pölten, AUT (32/6)
Callum McCowatt – Silkeborg IF, DEN (21/4)
Jesse Randall - Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (4/1)
Logan Rogerson - Auckland FC, NZ/AUS (14/2)
Ben Waine – Mansfield Town, ENG (22/8)
Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest, ENG (80/41)
Alongside the Finn Surman excused absence, the only other change between the last squad and this one is the straight swap between Jesse Randall and Liam Gillion. Back in November, Gillion was playing heaps for Auckland FC and Randall wasn’t (though Randall had already been capped at the Nations Cup a few months prior). Come the March window, Randall’s playing heaps for AFC and Gillion isn’t. Fair enough. Randall’s also scored a couple of A-League goals which is something Gillion notably lacked during his stint. Both were picked as speedy forwards to play out wide in the absence of Ben Old. Speedy wide players, especially those with dribbling skills, are a profile that the All Whites have been scrambling for going back ages. Joey Champness fizzed out but Auckland FC have also rejuvenated Logan Rogerson so credit to them for solving the zippy wide men stocks.
Interesting thing about Rogerson is that the other standout season in his career was with FC Haka (Finland) in 2022 when he got four goals and seven assists as a winger best known for bursting beyond his markers and whipping in good crosses. This season with AFC he’s still doing that stuff but the prevailing vision is of him popping up at the back post on the end of crosses (usually from Francis De Vries). New tricks have been learned. Rogerson turns 27 at the end of the month and this is the best he’s ever played.
Assuming that Elijah Just doesn’t suffer from any hiccups on his way back from a hamstring niggle, he’s got the opportunity to do something very rare during this window (aside from qualifying for a World Cup, that is). Same deal with Chris Wood because they’ve both scored in each of New Zealand’s past four international fixtures. Previous instances of guys scoring in 4+ consecutive All Whites matches:
Keith Nelson set the record when he scored in six straight games in 1977 to 1978 (against New Caledonia, Taiwan x2 & Australia x2, Singapore)
Steve Wooddin scored in four straight games in 1981 (Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Fiji)... this was during 82WC qualifying.
Grant Turner also scored in the same four games as Wooddin plus he added a fifth (Indonesia, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Fiji)
Shane Smeltz equalled the record with six in a row between 2007-08 (Wales, Fiji, Vanuatu x2 & New Caledonia x2)
Smeltz also has a four-game streak in 2012 (Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Tahiti)
And now Chris Wood & Elijah Just have done four unbeaten (Tahiti, Malaysia, Vanuatu, Samoa)
Bit of history on offer there. Callum McCowatt’s also back to full capacity and has scored a few goals for Silkeborg of late, meaning he’s very much in contention to start a game or two in this window. Chris Wood needs no explanation – even after a relative dry spell of three goalless games he’s still got 18 goals and 3 assists in 28 Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest this season. For context, the other five New Zealanders to have played EPL footy scored 15 goals between them. Not only that but he’s bringing his comrades along with him because both Marko Stamenic and Tyler Bindon have signed with NFFC since Wood took over the Forest. Best case scenario is they could all be playing Champions League games together in five months. Imagine that.
But the other two strikers do need more of a cautious mention. Kosta Barbarouses plays every minute for the Wellington Phoenix yet after scoring six times in nine matches to begin the season, he only has one goal in his last ten and it was a penalty kick. Kosta remains one of the Nix’s more reliable performers but the strength of his game is his off-ball movement and lately it’s been all about him dropping in and collecting the ball, looking for lay-offs that he’d be better off leaving to the midfielders. That’s only a small complaint compared to the purgatory that Ben Waine finds himself in. The Mansfield Town loan has mostly led to him getting a sore arse on the bench. It started okay but since late November these are his minutes in Mansfield Town’s league fixtures:
8, 7, 3, N/A, 2, N/A, N/A, 7, N/A, N/A, 25, 6, 6, N/A, N/A, 5, N/A, 6, N/A, 5, N/A, N/A
That’s 22 games during which he’s played 80 combined mins. Worst part is, there was a transfer window in the middle of that during which Plymouth Argyle could have recalled him and sent him somewhere else but they didn’t which unfortunately hints towards them not having any future plans for him either. Plymouth do have an option to extend his contract into next season but you wouldn’t bet on that happening the way things are going. You do have to wonder if the Waine Train might have fallen off the tracks entirely had Max Mata not gotten injured right before the squad was announced. Mata’s aerial ability and hold-up play makes him a more coherent back-up for Chris Wood and plenty of other AFC players have seen their All Whites stocks rise of late. He’d deserve it every bit as much. Then again, Mata could have taken Randall’s spot to keep Waine around, dunno.
Beyond that, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything Andre De Jong can do to get noticed – to be fair he’s not been as effective for Stellenbosch (South Africa) leading up to this window as he was ahead of the previous two squad selections. Moses Dyer and Oskar Van Hattum would need to be dominating in Ireland (like Mata and Pijnaker previously did) to get picked. Monty Patterson might have a chance to return to the fold having signed in Canada following his National League MVP... though Oscar Faulds is the ex-NL dude to pay the most attention to. He’s settling nicely in Luxembourg and could easily kick on from here. The other one of note is Marco Rojas whose injury-plagued season with the Welly Nix has kept him from making an international return. He’s still got plenty to offer if the fates allow it.
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