Basalaj, 18, flies out tonight to meet the squad in London when they return from their fleeting trip to Austria, where they face fellow Olympic finalists UAE tomorrow morning (4am NZT).
The recent U-17 and U-20 international will provide cover for All Whites stopper Jake Gleeson, who is nursing a groin injury picked up in the 2-1 loss to the Korea Republic in Seoul on Saturday.
Michael O’Keeffe will start in goal against the UAE.
Basalaj has not replaced Gleeson in the 18-man squad at this stage.
The teenager’s head is still reeling from the last-minute call.
“It’s still sinking in,” Basalaj said as he prepared for his departure.
“I had mixed feelings when I initially found out and there were a lot of things going through my head but it’s an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to get over there.”
He wished Gleeson a speedy recovery and said he was ready to help Neil Emblen’s charges even if his role is restricted to training with the squad.
“Anything I can do to help out the team, even if that’s just an extra body on the training pitch, I’m happy to help. Just being able to go over will be an amazing experience regardless of whether or not I play.”
The Oly Whites’ gain leaves a hole for Lower Hutt City ahead of this weekend’s ASB Chatham Cup quarter-finals with Basalaj one of their standouts on their run to the final eight.
“I’m disappointed to miss this weekend’s quarter-final. The boys have been doing so well and I’m sure they’ll be given an extra rev up without me and hopefully they can get into the semis.”
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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