Surprise selections in All Whites World Cup squad

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has named his 23-man squad for next month’s World Cup in South Africa. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury United's Aaron Clapham and United States-based Jeremy Christie are the notable selections in the 23-man All Whites squad named today for next month's soccer World Cup in South Africa.

Clapham came to national recognition after an outstanding season in the New Zealand Football Championship, where he was named player of the year.

Christie has been plying his trade with FC Tampa Bay Rowdies since being released from his contract with Wellington Phoenix at the end of the 2009 A-League season.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert said both players deserved their selection in the World Cup squad.

"Aaron has come into this group and looked very comfortable. He is the type of player that should be around the international scene for many years and he has a big future in the professional game.

"Jeremy has always been on the radar and I have kept in close contact with his coach at Tampa Bay. He has gone off shore to challenge himself and that has been good for him.

"I know him well and the coaching staff has worked with Jeremy over many years and we believe he will offer a great deal to the squad."

Besides Clapham, Denmark-based Winston Reid is the only other uncapped player after declaring his allegiance to New Zealand.

Waitakere United's Aaron Scott was the only player from the squad who beat Bahrain in a two-legged World Cup qualifier to miss out.

Former Wellington Phoenix utility David Mulligan was included despite not having played any club football last season and being released by the Phoenix in April.

"David has been a victim of circumstances at the Phoenix where other players have come in and played well, keeping him out of the team. He has never stopped working hard, however, and his attitude has been first class," Herbert said.

The other player to force his way into the group is Newcastle Jets new signing Jeremy Brockie, who battled back from a broken leg, suffered during the last A-League season.

Blackburn Rovers central defender Ryan Nelsen will captain the side.

Nelsen will be joined by six other European-based professionals in Rory Fallon (Plymouth), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town) and Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion).

The squad assemble in Auckland on May 19. They travel to Melbourne on May 22 for a match against the Socceroos at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 24.

They will then travel to Austria for a pre-World Cup camp and matches against Serbia and Slovenia, before arriving in South Africa on June 6.

All Whites World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: James Bannatyne, Glen Moss, Mark Paston.

Defenders: Andy Boyens, Tony Lochhead, Ryan Nelsen, Winston Reid, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith, Ivan Vicelich.

Midfielders: Andy Barron, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Simon Elliott, Michael McGlinchey, Jeremy Christie, David Mulligan, Aaron Clapham.

Strikers: Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood, Jeremy Brockie.

All Whites World Cup warm-up matches

May 24 v Australia, Melbourne
May 29 v Serbia, Klagenfurt
June 4 v Slovenia, Maribor
June 9 v Chlie, Nelspruit

All Whites World Cup fixtures

June 15 v Slovakia, Rustenburg
June 20 v Italy, Nelspruit
June 24 v Paraguay, Polokwane

- NZPA