Waitakere United has today confirmed with Oceania Football the 30 man squad for the O-League and from which 23 will be chosen for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December.
Waitakere United Head Coach Chris Milicich has kept faith with the bulk of the players that served him so well last season.
“There was no need for drastic overhaul of the squad. Once again we have a great blend of experience and youth with a number of our academy players a year older, a year stronger and year wiser as they learn the ropes at senior level.
“The chance for the likes of Tim Myers, Ian Hogg, Ash Solly and Jacob Mathews to rub shoulders with Danny Hay, Neil Emblen and others is a fantastic one for them and will help their development enormously.
“This club is committed to developing young players and has poured considerable time and resource into our academy, last year’s national youth league victory is in part testament to that.
“We played Hawkes Bay on the weekend with an U20 back four of Hogg, Myers, Scott and Solly and won 5-0, so these players are not included just for show, they can play.
“But we are also committed to winning and that means those young players get to learn from the best and most experienced players we can find that will fit into out team culture. The likes of Danny Hay, Neil Emblen, Neil Sykes, Jonathan Perry and Paul Seaman fit that bill perfectly and will once again provide great leadership in training and during matches.”
Benjamin Totori returns as expected from his spell in America with Portland Timbers while Fijian youngster Roy Krishna is ready to take part in all action this year after being signed too late last season to play in the O-League.
The highest profile name not to be included is Commins Menapi with Milicich agreeing to let the Solomon Islands international go after long discussions in the off season.
“Commins is getting towards the end of his career and wanted more game time. I have no issue with a player asking this but in the same breath it is something I cannot guarantee so reluctantly I let Commins look elsewhere. He has served us superbly over the past few seasons and goes with our best wishes.”
Also missing from the squad is Jason Hayne as he too looks for a regular starting position in the NZFC.