New Zealand are rank outsiders in the Beijing Olympic Football tournament - not to be disrespectful but surely the whole qualification process can be tweaked so that competitive teams show up for football at the Olympics?
The New Zealand Olympic Football squad for Beijing 2008:
Coach:
Stu Jacobs
Stu Jacobs
Goalkeepers:
Liam Little (22) (Otago United)
Jacob Spoonley (21) (Miramar Rangers)
Liam Little (22) (Otago United)
Jacob Spoonley (21) (Miramar Rangers)
Defenders:
Michael Boxall (19) (Santa Barbara University, USA)
Ian Hogg (18) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Sam Jenkins (21) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Ryan Nelsen (30) (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Steven Old (22) (Macarthur Rams, Australia)
Jack Pelter (21) (unattached)
Aaron Scott (22) (Waikato FC)
Cole Tinkler (22) (Team Wellington)
Michael Boxall (19) (Santa Barbara University, USA)
Ian Hogg (18) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Sam Jenkins (21) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Ryan Nelsen (30) (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Steven Old (22) (Macarthur Rams, Australia)
Jack Pelter (21) (unattached)
Aaron Scott (22) (Waikato FC)
Cole Tinkler (22) (Team Wellington)
Midfielders:
Jeremy Brockie (20) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Simon Elliott (34) (unattached)
Craig Henderson (21) (Dartmouth College, USA)
Cole Peverley (20) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Shaun van Rooyen (21) (Waikato FC)
Jeremy Brockie (20) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Simon Elliott (34) (unattached)
Craig Henderson (21) (Dartmouth College, USA)
Cole Peverley (20) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Shaun van Rooyen (21) (Waikato FC)
Strikers:
Daniel Ellensohn (23) (Team Wellington)
Chris Killen (26) (Celtic, Scotland)
Sam Messam (22) (Hawke’s Bay United)
Daniel Ellensohn (23) (Team Wellington)
Chris Killen (26) (Celtic, Scotland)
Sam Messam (22) (Hawke’s Bay United)
New Zealand are in Group C along with China, Brazil and Belgium. It’s going to be a tough tournament, and a lot will depend on Nelson’s ability to marshal the defence.
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