Soccer: Junior All Whites aim is to pick up a point

Coach Chris Milicich. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The bold showings by the New Zealand under-17 and women's soccer teams at their respective World Cups in recent times has thrown down the gauntlet to the Junior All Whites.

The Chris Milicich-coached 21-strong squad named yesterday faces a huge challenge but one he is determined to meet head on in Colombia.

Milicich has not been scared in making changes by calling in seven players who were not involved with the Oceania qualifying tournament in April.

Scott Basalaj and Tim Payne, standouts for the Young All Whites at the Under-17 World Cup where they won through to post-section play, have been named along with bolter Melville United defender Mikey Kramer who is uncapped at age group level.

The big challenge for the Nick Branch-led team is to improve on New Zealand's record at their only previous appearance at the Under-20 World Cup.

'We haven't picked up a point at this tournament before so that is our goal first and foremost," said Milicich.

CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Stefan Marinovic, Scott Basalaj, Coey Turipa.

Defenders: Nick Branch, Nikko Boxall, Anthony Hobbs, James Musa, Luke Rowe, Mikey Kramer, Liam Higgins.

Midfielders: Ryan Cain, Cameron Lindsay, Andrew Milne, Colin Murphy, Marco Rojas, Adam Thomas.

Forwards: Andrew Bevin, Sean Lovemore, Ethan Galbraith, Tim Payne, Dakota Lucas.