All Whites coach Anthony Hudson has named an experienced squad for the build-up to the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.
The All Whites, who staged a training camp this week in Auckland, will face Northern Ireland, Dublin club side Carbinteely FC and Belarus in the lead-up to the ‘Tournament of Champions’ in early June.
Hudson believes he has named a 23-man squad, which will be largely the same for the Confederations Cup (announced on 8 June), that can make a statement on the world stage.
"I am excited and quietly optimistic about our chances in Russia," said Hudson.
"I feel that we go into this tournament in a really strong position.
"We are focused on the task at hand, we are not going to get carried away with who we are playing, we know they are top teams but we are a strong team and we are going there focused on our jobs and the task. It is going to be an exciting tournament."
Chris Wood, who won the Golden Boot in the English Championship for Leeds United this season, will captain the team in the absence of regular skipper Winston Reid (knee injury) and Hudson expects he will relish the challenge.
"I am so pleased for Woodsy and his success this year, it is nothing that he doesn’t deserve. We know what he can do in terms of consistency and the goals he has scored. We want him to lead the team as he always does, with pride and strong performances."
Hudson said the 12 All Whites who have been based in Auckland this week have got the squad off to a great start.
They head to Russia with clear intent of what they are trying to achieve. Hudson said it was a great opportunity for his players to make a name for themselves in elite company.
"We have a huge amount of respect for previous teams and what has been done before us but this team wants to go to this tournament and make history. We are not going to shy away from that.
"We want to go further than any New Zealand team has ever gone. We want to play some good football and make the country proud. We are serious that we want to go there and do something significant and we believe that we will."
One of the notable inclusions is the return of Kosta Barbarouses who comes back into the fold after missing the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Fiji in March.
"There has never been any doubt about Kosta’s ability," said Hudson.
"The most pleasing thing for me was since the conversation we had after he missed the March window, his performances were really strong, scored some goals and played really well.
"He was doing things that I was looking for previously. I want Kosta at his very best. On his day he can hurt any national team in the world and we want more of his best days. I know he will add to this squad immensely.".
Dane Ingham, who made his international debut at the age of 17 in Wellington, has left a lasting impression on Hudson and he feels that he will enjoy performing on the big stage.
His older brother Jai, who made his debut in the same match, has not been so lucky. Hudson said this is probably the hardest window in terms of decisions that he has had to make and that Jai could consider himself unfortunate.
"I have had some difficult conversations with players," he said.
"We want representing New Zealand to be something that is hard to achieve. Jai has been unfortunate. He is a really talented player and I expect him to be involved in the near future. There is huge competition and one or two players have done well and he has missed out."
Hudson said the key to a successful build-up will be making sure that everyone is in a strong physical condition and they have the chance to build on the game plan, and also continue to develop their team values and spirit.
"We want to make sure that when people see us play on this tour they see certain traits about us. These qualities will give us the best possible chance of winning."
All Whites squad for the pre tour of the FIFA Confederations Cup
Goalkeepers
Stefan Marinovic, Tamati Williams, Glen Moss
Defenders
Andrew Durante, Thomas Doyle, Storm Roux, Michael Boxall, Kip Colvey, Themi Tzimopoulos, Deklan Wynne, Sam Brotherton, Tommy Smith, Dane Ingham
Midfielders
Bill Tuiloma, Clayton Lewis, Michael McGlinchey, Ryan Thomas, Marco Rojas, Alex Rufer
Forwards
Chris Wood, Monty Patterson, Shane Smeltz , Kosta Barbarouses.
Newshub.
