Soccer: Overseas stars lead the way

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The overseas influence will play a big part in New Zealand's World Cup soccer bid.

Half the players named in a 32-man All Whites squad yesterday are based overseas.

Coach Ken Dugdale is unlikely to add to the squad, but has not closed the door on players who kick off their Qantas-sponsored National League season on Sunday.

"We have deliberately named a big squad which will be trimmed to the 20 who will go into camp in Singapore on the weekend of May 19-20 and stay together for the World Cup campaign," Dugdale said.

New Zealand play Singapore in a warm-up game on May 22.

"I will have a chat with as many of the players I can when I'm in England next month - just to check on injuries and other things," Dugdale said.

He has four goalkeepers in the squad, but not South Africa-based Michael Utting.

Included in the overseas contingent is former Football Kingz utility Ivan Vicelich, now with Dutch first division club Roda JC.

Vicelich made his first-team debut 10 days ago, coming into the match against FC Graafschap as a 78th-minute substitute. Roda won 3-1 to stay fourth on the league table.

Vicelich, who is likely to play in the defence for the All Whites, has also played in the midfield since joining the Dutch club.

"The standard is very high and I'm still adapting to the faster game," he said. "That is something I'm coming to terms with."

New Zealand Soccer are still looking for a second warm-up game in Asia after their Singapore match.

"We have heard back from John Adshead in Oman and they can't play us because they will be involved in their World Cup games," NZ Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said. "We, and our agent, are still looking to Malaysia, South Korea and perhaps Saudi Arabia as possibilities."

Jason Batty, Chris Zoricich and Chris Jackson - who have all captained the national side - are included in the expanded squad, along with under-23 captain Ryan Nelsen.

Twelve of the Football Kingz squad are included, but Dugdale has obviously dismissed suggestions that player-coach Wynton Rufer could play a role.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Jason Batty (Scunthorpe), Ross Nicholson (Central), Mark Paston (Napier), Chris Marsh (Kingz).

Defenders: Danny Hay (Leeds), Scott Smith (Woking), Sean Douglas (Kingz), Che Bunce (Kingz), Ivan Vicelich (Roda JC), Ryan Nelsen (DC United), Graham Pearce (University Mt Wellington), Chris Zoricich (Newcastle Utd).

Midfielders: Jonathan Perry (Kingz), Noah Hickey (Kingz), Brad Scott (Canberra), Mark Atkinson (Eastern Pride), Simon Elliott (Los Angeles Galaxy), Mark Burton (Kingz), Chris Jackson (Kingz), Aaran Lines (Kingz), Gavin Wilkinson (Kilkenny FC), Jeff Campbell (Kingz), Gerard Davis (Kingz), Jimmy Cudd (Napier), Harry Ngata (Kingz).

Strikers: Shane Smeltz (Brisbane), Kris Bouckenooghe (SK Roeselare), Leo Bertos (Barnsley), Vaughan Coveny (South Melbourne), Raf de Gregorio (AS Sorrento), Chris Killen (Manchester City), Paul Urlovic (Kingz).