Attacking midfielder Ben Old has been ruled out of New Zealand’s Olympic Games campaign ahead of Sunday’s showdown against the United States.
OlyWhites head coach Darren Bazeley said those already in the training camp were ready for the Group A match which could see New Zealand clinch a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament in France.
“Everybody’s that here is fit and available,” Bazeley said.
However, Old won’t be joining the Games squad from his new club, Ligue 1’s St Etienne.
“We’ve been in communications with Ben Old and he’s not now going to come in,” Bazeley said.
“It’s difficult circumstances for him. He’s obviously just transferred to a club, a big club, and in that, a little ankle injury that he’s been carrying.
“He’s rehabbing with them, and there was hope that he would be fit enough to come in and perform for us and join us.
“It’s been decided now with Ben and the club that potentially coming into these competitive games might not be the best thing for him right now, at this stage of his club career.”
Main photo: Darren Bazeley … ready for Sunday’s match with the United States.
READ MORE: All Whites midfielder Ben Old leaves Phoenix for French Ligue 1 club >>>>
New Zealand go into the match against the United States knowing a win would ensure progression to the quarter-final, while a point might also be enough, depending on other results.
Meanwhile, United States coach Marko Mitrovic says he will deploy different tactics against New Zealand than those used in his side’s 3-0 opening loss to hosts France.
Against France, the United States employed a low block, sitting deep in defence and restricting goalscoring opportunities for their opponents.
However, in his post-match interview, he indicated the United States side would press higher up the field to pose more of an attacking threat.
Fixtures
Group A
Games to be played on Sunday July 28, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v United States
Stade de Marseille, Marseille, 5am (NZT)
France v Guinea
Stade de Nice, Nice, 7am (NZT)
Games to be played on Wednesday July 31, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v France
Stade de Marseille, Marseille, 5am (NZT)
United States v Guinea
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 5am (NZT)
The men’s football tournament at the Olympics
Men’s football at the Olympics is restricted to under-23 players (born on or after January 1, 2000), though each team can select up to three overage players.
Match venues for the tournament are Paris, Bordeaux, Décines-Charpieu (near Lyon), Marseille, Nantes, Nice and Saint-Étienne.
This story was first published on July 27, 2024.
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