Waitakere name 23 for FIFA Club World Cup

Waitakere United Football Manager Chris Milicich has announced his squad of 23 players to travel to Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup in December.

It is a squad of players strong on experience, but with a blend of youth and pace, all of whom will be required to be at their very best when they take on Iranian side Sepahan at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on December 7th.

In naming the squad, Milicich said it is important that the experienced players in the side mentor the younger or less experienced on what will be an eye opening trip.

“We are fortunate to have the likes of Danny Hay, Neil Emblen, Darren Bazeley, Neil Sykes, Jonathan Perry and others who have experienced international football for club or country. They are our leaders and will be charged with keeping the focus strong on and off the field. This is not a holiday, this is the football experience of a lifetime for some of the players, and it is up to the management team and senior players to ensure they don’t get stars in their eyes.”

Waitakere United Executive Chairman Rex Dawkins says the club is aware of its responsibilities while away in Japan.

“The eyes of the football world will in many ways be on us in Japan as we look to justify once again the inclusion of an Oceania team on the world stage. We are not hiding from that but we are also well aware of the mountain we have to climb against Sepahan. We will play on behalf of New Zealand and Oceania with pride and determination and do our utmost to represent the region with distinction on and off the field.”

Milicich said the toughest decision was notifying those that had missed out, in particular the younger players who have worked so hard to earn the trip of a lifetime.

“Our academy players have been tremendous and have great futures in the game but Japan will be no place for the faint hearted and this was not about giving places in the squad away, they had to be earned by the best 23 players we have available. Young Arran Rowley and Tom Webb will represent their academy team mates with distinction, for the others, their time will come.”

The club will be featured at a FIFA Media Conference on Monday 26th November at Lincoln Green Function Centre (for details contact Andrew Dewhurst on numbers below) before hosting a farewell function for the players on Wednesday 28th November.

Sky TV will follow Waitakere while on tour and produce a documentary to air at a later date while all games in the FIFA Club World Cup will be shown live on Sky Sport. Check guides for channels and times.

Waitakere United traveling squad to FIFA Club World Cup in Japan 



GK 1
Richard
Gillespie
Goalkeeper

2
Jonathan
Perry
Defender

3
Shane
Pascoe
Defender

4
Matt
Cunneen
Defender

5
Daniel
Hay
Defender

6
Darren
Bazeley
Def/Midfield

7
Jason
Hayne
Midfielder

8
Commins
Menapi
Striker

9
Benjamin
Totori
Striker

10
Allan
Pearce
Mid/Striker

11
Neil
Sykes
Midfielder

13
Danijel
Koprivcic
Striker

14
Hoani
Edwards
Midfield

15
Christopher
Bale
Midfield

16
Neil
Emblen
Defender

17
Jake
Butler
Midfielder

19
Mikael
Munday
Defender

20
Jason
Rowley
Defender

21
Graham
Pearce
Defender

GK 22
Simon
Eaddy
Goalkeeper

27
Tom
Webb
Defender

GK 28
Arran
Rowley
Goalkeeper

33
Paul
Seaman
Midfielder

Football Manager
Chris
Milicich


Player Coach
Neil
Emblen


Goalkeeping Coach
Grant
Robertson


Manager
Craig
Alexander


Head of Delegation
Stephen
Williamson


Physio
Alex
Blazhevskyiy


Kit Manager
Graham
Routledge


Media Manager
Andrew
Dewhurst