Cook Islands and New Zealand have named their final 23-member squad for the OFC Under-17 Championship in Fiji next week.
Guided by head coach Tahiri Elikana and assistant Coach Nathan Tisam, Cook Islands will face Vanuatu and Tahiti in their Group C fixture from January 11-28.
Cook Islands have been preparing for the championship for the last three months and have played a friendly match against a local side to get ready to face their rivals Vanuatu and Tahiti.
The side is currently in Auckland to play friendly games to strengthen the team.
Men’s U-17 Head Coach Martin Bullock has named his 23-person squad for the OFC U-17 Championship, set to be played in Fiji from 11 – 28 January 2023.
The squad features 18 players currently based in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as five players based overseas in Australia, England and North Macedonia.
New Zealand is in Group B at the tournament along with New Caledonia and American Samoa. The team will play their opening game against New Caledonia on Wednesday 11 January at Fiji FA Academy.
Cook Island: Paulo Allsworth, Ioane Brogan, Terepai Karan, Timi Kiriau, Dwayne Matapo, Jordan Matapo, Tione Nand, Teina Ngametua, Christopher Pita, Te Ariki RIngi, Tepare Rongo-Kea, Juleo Tauu, Akai Tuakeu, Stanley Tutai, Shane Tuteru, Jeremiah Williams, Robert Savage, Hyrum Numanga, Iaveta Remuera and Tamuera Newnham.
Team Officials: Pauline Dean (Manager), Lai Gukisuva (assistant manager) and Ana Baukitoga (Physio)
New Zealand: Adam Watson, Anaru Cassidy, Anton Isaako, Bronson Brown, Dylan Gardiner, Eamonn McCarron, Eric Imachi Sugahara, Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues, Harrison Tisch, Harry Huxford, Jackson Cole, James Ray, Jesper Edwards, Joshua Brown, Konstantino Gorgiovski, Luka Coveny, Luke Supyk, Marley Leuluai, Matt D’Hotman, Matt Foord, Nicholas Murphy, Niko Bruce, Ryan Lee.
