Latest news with #BenOld
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All White star Ben Old on his future, after relegation of Saint-Etienne from Ligue 1
All Whites midfielder Ben Old remains excited about his future at Saint-Etienne, despite the club's relegation from the top tier of French football. Old made history last season – becoming the first New Zealander to start a Ligue 1 match – and went on to make 13 appearances for
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Football: Five changes to All Whites squad as they continue World Cup build-up
Chris Wood of New Zealand celebrates his goal with Ben Old of New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has made five changes from the squad that qualified for the World Cup for next month's internationals against Cote d'Ivoire and Ukraine. Defenders Finn Surman, Callan Elliot and Bill Tuiloma, goalkeeper Nik Tzanev and attacker Ben Old have all been included. Tim Payne misses the matches as he awaits the birth of a child, while Oliu Sail, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson and Storm Roux are missing from the squad that played the Oceania World Cup qualifiers. The All Whites (FIFA rank 86) face Côte d'Ivoire (41) and Ukraine (25) in the Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto, Canada. With only five international windows before he is set to name his FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, Bazeley will be looking to give opportunities to a range of players to prove they deserve a place at the tournament next year. Old has returned from injury and Surman is back after it was agreed between his Portant Timbers club and All Whites coaching staff he would miss the previous international window. Samoa's Jarvis Vaai New Zealand's Finn Surman. FIFA World Cup 2026 - OFC Qualifiers, Samoa v New Zealand, Go Media Stadium Auckland, Monday 18 November 2024. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / "We have been lucky to play a number of home games over the last few windows, but it has always been the plan that heading into the FIFA World Cup next year we need to test ourselves, playing away, against a range of teams we could face in 2026," Bazeley said. "To face two top 50 sides, in a tournament situation, in one of the FIFA World Cup 2026 host venues, is the perfect challenge for us. "We have made a few changes to the squad from March which gives us the opportunity to look at some different players in the environment." The All Whites will face Côte d'Ivoire on Sunday 8 June at 11am NZT (Saturday 7 June at 7pm local time) followed by Ukraine on Wednesday 11 June at 9am NZT (Tuesday 10 June at 5pm local time). Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
