By TERRY MADDAFORD
Simon Elliott and Scott Smith get the rare chance to display their footballing skills in front of a home crowd when they step out for the All Whites against South Korea at North Harbour Stadium tonight.
Elliott, whose United States university commitments kept him away from last year's Confederations Cup, rejoined the national side in China for last week's international tournament, and tonight will take the pivotal central midfield role.
Smith, who these days plays his soccer for Woking in the English Vauxhall Conference League, last played for the All Whites in New Zealand almost two years ago in games against the Koreans and Chile.
Injuries have hit the New Zealand team, with Che Bunce, who missed the games in China after rolling an ankle in training, likely to miss both tonight's game and Sunday's return in Palmerston North.
Sean Douglas is also likely to miss both games after a collision with a sideline photographer in China left him with a suspected broken bone in his wrist. He is due to see a specialist today.
Chris Zoricich will lead the side tonight, but will miss the second game as he has to return to his Australian club for Sunday's national league game.
The team have taken time to fully recover from the arduous China trip, and yesterday morning had only an optional training session, with about half the squad working out with the under-23 side.
"We don't know a lot about the Koreans, but can expect them to be tough," said assistant coach Mick Waitt.
"We are pretty certain they will be better than either China or Jamaica - who we played in China.
"They are quite big and will be very agile. While we realise we will be up against it, we have no plans to change our approach."
The under-23 (Olympic) team members who went to China - Paul Urlovic, Jeff Campbell, Raf De Gregorio and Josh Stick - have been included in the All Whites squad for tonight, with De Gregorio in the starting line-up.
Some are likely to return to the under-23 side for Sunday's game.
The Korean under-23 side beat the senior team 1-0 in a training game on Wednesday night to further underline the strength of the team who last week beat the Australian Olympic team 3-0 in the final of a four-nation tournament.
"While we know we could be on for a hiding, it is important we get games," said under-23 assistant coach Ron Armstrong. "We have eight changes from the team who beat the Solomon Islands in the Oceania final.
"Four of that team are with the All Whites, and Ryan Nelsen, Kris Bouckenooghe and Gerard Davis are back with their clubs overseas.
"We know we have to work hard and do all we can to close them down."
The under-23 teams will play the 5.45 pm curtainraiser. The main game kicks off at 8 pm.
All Whites: Jason Batty, Chris Zoricich (captain), Scott Smith, Ivan Vicelich, Jonathan Perry, Gavin Wilkinson, Simon Elliott, Chris Jackson, Mark Atkinson, Raf De Gregorio, Harry Ngata. Substitutes: Ross Nicholson, Josh Stick, Jeff Campbell, Mark Elrick, Paul Urlovic.
Under-23: Chris Marsh, John Foundoulakis, Greg Uhlmann, Gareth Rowe, Noah Hickey, Jeremy Brown, Graham Pearce, Blair Scoullar, Brad Scott, Joe Murray, Aaron Burgess. Substitutes: Hayden Englefield, Hamish Carmody, Mathew Urlovic, Campbell Banks.
Soccer: Player merry-go-round for jaded All Whites
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.