KEY POINTS:
The Melbourne connection with the Wellington Phoenix continues to grow - Australian under-23 internationals Vince Lia and Steven O'Dor are now members of coach Ricki Herbert's squad.
They join Michael Ferrante, named earlier in the week, as three Melbourne players making the switch.
Also confirmed yesterday, taking the squad to 10, were All Whites Glen Moss and Steven Old.
Announcing his new signings, Herbert said he was looking forward to again working with the players.
Only Lia is joining him for the first time.
"He is a quality player who I expect will add something in his customary wide-right midfield role," Herbert said.
"He was released by Melbourne Victory, and sees the Phoenix as giving him the opportunity of more game time."
Born in Shepparton, Lia began his senior career at South Melbourne, making his debut when he was 16 and playing alongside recently retired All Whites striker Vaughan Coveny in the old National Soccer League.
He was then signed by Victory. After 17 appearances in two seasons, the club and Lia agreed it would be beneficial for him to move on.
"Last season I only played six or seven times, said Lia, 22, from Melbourne yesterday. "This opportunity came along and after considering it for a couple of days I decided to take it up.
"It's a big call for me. It's the first time I have moved away from Melbourne, but it's another journey and the chance to improve my football.
"I see the Phoenix as an exciting prospect and am looking forward to moving over."
Before he makes his move, Lia, who played for Australia under-20s in 2003 and captained them in 2005, has an important date with Iran in an Asian group Olympic qualifier in Adelaide on May 16.
Lia and Ferrante lived around the corner from each other and car-pooled on training days at Melbourne Victory, and O'Dor spent time with Lia in the Australian under-23s.
O'Dor, 20, answered an SOS from Herbert for the ill-fated game against the Victory last season for which the New Zealand Knights were left floundering following the break-up of the club.
"Steven did well and I also played him against Sydney and Central Coast andthen brought him over for the last gameagainst Perth in which he again didvery well," said Herbert.
Herbert has decided not to include O'Dor as one of the three under-20 players he must name, preferring to give that opportunity to New Zealanders.
Wellington-based Costa Barbarouses was named as the sixth player in the squad, and his national under-20 teammates are still being considered.
Players such as Cole Peverley, Jeremy Brockie and perhaps defender Jack Pelter and Phil Edgington and others are being looked at.
Moss, 24, joins his All Whites teammate Mark Paston as the team's second goalkeeper after nine outings for the Knights and earlier playing at Sydney Olympic in the NSL.
Old, 21, returns to New Zealand after 10 appearances for Newcastle Jets last season. He has led New Zealand at under-17, under-20 and under-23 level and made his All Whites debut against Australia in 2004.
Yesterday's five signings - all under 25 years - bring the average age of the squad down in line with Herbert's thinking of eventually having his initial 20 or 21 players (of the allowable 23) with an average age of around or under 26 years.
