Football: Hudson frustrated by All Whites' plight

New Zealand's Shane Smeltz. Photo / Ross Setford

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson has expressed his frustration at being unable to name a full strength New Zealand squad for his fourth successive international tour.

The All Whites face Myanmar in a friendly international on Sunday but will be without first choice players Glen Moss, Chris Wood, Tommy Smith, Storm Roux, Deklan Wynne and Ryan Thomas, while Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante also announced his international retirement.

Hudson opted not to recall the European based trio of Wood, Thomas and Smith as a 'man management' decision, based on 'injury, squad balance and travel distance considerations' while Moss was named in the squad but had to withdraw from the tour for family reasons.

Wynne and Roux were unavailable for selection due to New Zealand Football's ongoing eligibility legal process, which suggests South African born Roux's All Whites future could be in doubt.

Winston Reid will lead the team alongside the experienced attacking quarter of Shane Smeltz, Jeremy Brockie, Michael McGlinchey and Marco Rojas, while six players that featured for New Zealand at the FIFA U-20 World Cup earlier this year have been included.

Hudson hasn't had a full strength All Whites squad to choose from since he took over as All Whites coach 12 months ago and admitted that the constant omission of key players can get taxing.

"It's very frustrating," said Hudson. "I want to have all the players together and have a lot more contact time and play in every window. We want to be involved in regional tournaments - all these things that other national teams do - so it is frustrating, but I've been here a year now and I've sort of accepted it. But I believe in what we're doing and how we're trying to build the team."

Hudson said he spoke to Wood, Thomas and Smith before making his decision to not select them.

"I didn't want to be bringing starting, first team players all the way to Asia and have them sat on the bench," Hudson said.

"Chris and Tommy were slightly different to Ryan who is suffering from a slight knee injury. But it gives me an opportunity to look at other players.

"Initially, any player who is not selected will be disappointed but I have taken a real 'big picture' view on my approach to this. I'm very mindful that this is one game against Myanmar in September, and when we get to post March of next year when the qualifiers start, we will need everyone travelling over the other side of the world, and depth too.

"The players were very receptive and I think it would be poor management to pull certain players, have them fly to Asia and sit them on the bench for this type of game."

Greece-based defender Themi Tzimopoulos is again included after making his debut for the All Whites against Korea Republic in March while rising youngster Logan Rogerson - a member of the current Men's U-17 side - is also named after a strong campaign with the Men's U-23 side.

The inclusion of defenders Liam Higgins and Harshae Raniga - members of the Men's U-23 side - brings the total number of first-time All Whites travellers to five.

"We are in a very strong position now, I feel very confident," said Hudson. "Where we have come in one year, to now, compared with how balanced the squad is and how much more depth we have in the squad, I'm really pleased."

Durante, who has played nine times for New Zealand, said the time was right to step down from international football.

"It's a good time to make this decision with the young players in my position and the strain of international travel takes a toll on the body as well as having an impact on my young family."

Hudson acknowledged the contribution Durante has made to the All Whites since his first match in 2013.

"I talked with Dura in depth about his situation and I completely understand and respect his decision," Hudson said.

"I thank him for the service he has given the national team and the door will always remain open to him if his circumstances change in the future."

All Whites squad - Myanmar
September, 2015
(Caps/Goals/Club)

Goalkeepers

Max Crocombe (0/0/Oxford Utd, ENG)
Stefan Marinovic (1/0/ SpVgg Unterhaching, GER)

Defenders
Michael Boxall (12/0/SuperSport Utd, RSA)
Sam Brotherton (0/0/Wisconsin University, USA)
Thomas Doyle (1/0/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)
Liam Higgins (0/0/Stop Out FC, NZL)
Harshae Raniga (0/0/Onehunga Sports, NZL)
Winston Reid (18/1/West Ham Utd, ENG)
Themi Tzimopoulos (1/0/PAS Giannina FC, GRE)

Midfielders
Moses Dyer (1/0/Onehunga Sports, NZL)
Clayton Lewis (1/0/Wellington Olympic, NZL)
Michael McGlinchey (31/3/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)
Tim Payne (13/2/Portland Timbers, USA)
Bill Tuiloma (8/0/Olympique Marseille, FRA)
Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (0/0/Onehunga Sports, NZL)

Forwards
Kosta Barbarouses (28/2/Melbourne Victory, AUS)
Jeremy Brockie (46/1/SuperSport Utd, RSA)
Logan Rogerson (0/0/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)
Marco Rojas (21/1/FC Thun, SWT)
Alex Rufer (0/0/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)
Shane Smeltz (50/23/Sydney FC, AUS)

Management staff
Head coach: Anthony Hudson
Assistant coach: Alex Armstrong
Goalkeeper coach: Paul Gothard
Men's U-20 coach Darren Bazeley
Manager: Rob Pickstock
Doctor: Chan Dassanayake
Head Physio: Roland Jeffery
Physio: Mark Palmer
Sports Scientist: Aidan Wivell
Technical Analyst: Jase Kim

Match schedule
Myanmar v All Whites
Sunday 7 September, 6pm (NZ time - Sunday 7 September 11.30pm)
Thuwanna Stadium, Yangon