New Zealand has lost a top international football prospect to Australia.
Gianni Stensness, who played for the OlyWhites at the Tokyo Games, has told head coach Danny Hay his allegiance lies elsewhere and has chosen to represent Australia at senior level.
Hay said he's disappointed but accepts the decision.
"I'm not going to say it isn't disappointing to see Gianni make that choice," Hay said in a New Zealand Football statement today.
"He was part of the Olympic team that showed how exciting the future of New Zealand football is looking and I believe his time in our national setup has played a major role in his development. Ultimately it is his decision, and we will respect it."
"I think it speaks to the strength of the talent we are developing, and the success they are having overseas, that we are able to assemble a squad without any players from New Zealand and Australia," said Hay.
"Obviously we would prefer to be in a position to include players from this part of the world but I'm confident in the team we have been able to bring together and I know they are all chomping at the bit to get back on the pitch after such a long time."
Winston Reid isn't available to play, having recently returned from injury, but will join the side in a mentoring role.
All Whites 21-man squad:
Stefan Marinovic (25 Caps) Hapoel Nof HaGalil, Israel Nikola Tzanev (1 Cap) AFC Wimbledon, England Michael Woud (2 Caps) Almere City FC, Netherlands Michael Boxall (33 Caps) Minnesota United, USA Nikko Boxall (3 Caps) SJK Seinäjoki, Finland Liberato Cacace (3 Caps) Sint-Truidense VV, Belgium Kelvin Kalua* (0 Caps) Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand (currently on trial in Europe) Niko Kirwan (0 Caps) Padova, Italy Nando Pijnaker (1 Cap) FC Helsingør (loan from Rio Ave FC), Denmark Tommy Smith (38 Caps) Colchester United, England Bill Tuiloma (26 Caps) Portland Timbers, USA Dalton Wilkins* (0 Caps) Kolding IF (loan from FC Helsingør), Denmark Joe Bell (2 Caps) Viking FK, Norway Joseph Champness* (0 Caps) Giresunspor, Turkey Matthew Garbett* (0 Caps) Torino, Italy Sarpreet Singh (6 Caps) SSV Jahn Regensburg (loan from FC Bayern Münich), Germany Marko Stamenic* (0 Caps) HB Køge (on loan from FC Copenhagen), Denmark Andre de Jong (4 Caps) AmaZulu FC, South Africa Elijah Just (2 Caps) FC Helsingør, Denmark Callum McCowatt (1 Cap) FC Helsingør, Denmark Chris Wood (57 Caps) Burnley FC, England