Strong international flavour in Wairarapa United squad

There is a strong international flavour in the Keinzley Agvet Wairarapa United soccer squad named today to take part in the Capital premier division competition in 2007.
It includes four Fijians - player-coach Pita Rabo, Sakeo Valevou, Petero Dauniseka and Lai Gataura, Italian Guiseppe Cugliari, Cook Islands goalkeeper Tony Jamieson, Dutchman Chris Looye and Mirek Tvaroh from the Czech Republic.
Of those players only Looye and Tvaroh were not part of the Wairarapa United squad which finished a highly creditable third in the premier division series last season.
Looye was encouraged to try out for the team after being seen playing indoor soccer locally while holidaying in the Wairarapa and the 23-year-old has now obtained a work permit which will enable him to be available on a regular basis.
He has the versatility to fill a number of positions but indications are he will be mainly at right midfield.
Tvaroh did make a few appearances for Wairarapa United two seasons ago but missed last year because he was completing his university studies in the Czech Republic, where he has played soccer on a professional basis.
He is rated highly by last year's Wairarapa United coach, Phil Keinzley, who considers him to be one of the best players in the Wellington region
Another highlight of the 2007 squad is its youth with Valevou being the oldest at 29yrs and the squad including three college players, Thomas Hemi, Niki Keinzley and Anton Ross.
Captaining the team will be 23-year-old Carl Shailer from Carterton, who is another player with the versatility to play a number of positions but is likely to be at fullback this coming season.
Phil Keinzley makes no secret over his enthusiasm at the potential of the side, saying it could very well be the best-ever team fielded by Wairarapa United.
"It's exciting, very exciting," he said. "We have depth all over the park, it's hard to see a weakness at this stage."
Wairarapa United made their first appearance for this year when they played central league side Stop Out as part of the annual Hilton Petone pre-season tourney last weekend and their 2-1 loss represented a splendid performance, especially considering their limited preparation.
This Sunday will see them continue their Hilton Petone programme with a match against one of the country's top side club sides, Miramar Rangers.
The full Wairarapa United squad for 2007 is: John Antcliff (Carterton), Guiseppe Cugliari (Italy), Petero Dauniseka (Fiji), Lai Gataurua (Fiji), Thomas Hemi (Wairarapa College), Niki Keinzley (Rathkeale), Chris Looye (Holland), James Oxtoby (Palmerston North), Pita Rabo (Fiji), Andy Robertson (Carterton), Anton Ross (Rathkeale), Carl Shailer (Carterton), Evan Shailer (Carterton), Aaron Spierling (Carterton), Anaru Te Rangi (Masterton), Mirek Tvaroh (Czech Republic), Sakeo Valevou (Fiji).