Four players with either Olympic experience, a senior All Whites cap or both have been included in Neil Emblen's 20-man New Zealand U-23 squad aiming to secure an Olympics berth via the Oceania qualifiers beginning in Taupo on Friday.
Current All Whites Jake Gleeson and Marco Rojas, who have been released by Portland Timbers and Melbourne Victory respectively for the March 16-25 event, are the biggest coups for Emblen's squad, with Rojas joining after his side's home match against Wellington Phoenix on Friday night which means he will miss New Zealand's opener against Papua New Guinea on the same day.
Emblen has also been able to include two players who competed in New Zealand's Olympic campaign four years ago as teenagers.
Wales-based professional Greg Draper has scored 20 goals this season for the New Saints and made two appearances for the Oly Whites off the bench in China before receiving his sole All Whites cap later that year.
Auckland City fullback Ian Hogg has just returned from a trial in Europe and while he is yet to be capped at senior level he still adds valuable experience as one of only three members of the 2008 squad - the others were Simon Elliott and goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley - to play every minute of New Zealand's Olympic debut.
"It's a great boost to have all four of these guys available as it looked as those we might not have any of them for the qualifiers,'' said Emblen.
"With their experience of professional football, Olympic Games or senior international football we expect them to be leaders on and off the field in what will be a testing tournament.''
While the likes of Chris Wood, Tommy Smith, Kosta Barbarouses could be added to the mix if New Zealand qualify for the Olympics, Neil Emblen said the core of local players were just as important and backed them to get the first part of the job done.
"They really have double the motivation. Not only are the boys trying to get the country to the Olympics, they are playing for places knowing players are likely to be coming in if the team in successful in getting to the games.''
Wellington Phoenix's Cameron Lindsay, 19, is the fourth professional named in the side while the majority of the squad are supplied by ASB Premiership sides including five players from Team Wellington, three from Auckland City, two each from Waitakere United and Waikato FC and one from Otago United.
New Zealand face Papua New Guinea and Tonga in Group B, with the top two progressing to crossover semi finals against the top two teams from Group A which features Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and American Samoa. The final on March 24 decides Oceania's sole berth in London.
The men's Olympic football tournament is a 16 team event with teams able to add three over-age players to an otherwise under 23 squad.
Meanwhile, the Football Ferns are two just games away from qualifying for the women's football tournament in London and will meet Papua New Guinea home and away on March 31 and April 4 for Oceania's spot in the 12 team event.
New Zealand U-23 squad for OFC Olympic qualifying tournament
Owen Delany Park, Taupo
Goalkeepers: Jake Gleeson (Portland Timbers, USA), Michael O'Keefe (Fairfield University, USA). Defenders: Michael Eagar (Team Wellington), Anthony Hobbs (Florida International University, USA), Ian Hogg (Auckland City), James Musa (Team Wellington), Tim Myers (Waitakere United), Tristan Prattley (Otago United), Adam Thomas (Waikato FC). Midfielders: Alex Feneridis (Auckland City), Jason Hicks (Waikato FC), Cameron lindsay (Wellington Phoenix), Adam McGeorge (Auckland City), Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory, AUS), Daniel Saric (Unattached). Forwards: Greg Draper (The New Saints, WAL), Louis Fenton (Team Wellington), Dakota Lucas (Team Wellington), Ethan Galbraith (Team Wellington), Sean Lovemore (Waitakere United)
