Boxall Targets Korea repeat

Defender Michael Boxall and the All Whites are making the quick transition to new surroundings in Oman before Friday’s international clash at the Al Seeb Stadium.

The squad have assembled in Muscat over the last 48 hours with the players having to make the speedy adjustment to 30 degrees plus temperatures as they begin preparing for Friday’s (NZ time) final game of 2015.

Boxall said Muscat has thrown up similar conditions to what he lives through day in and day out in South Africa with his club SuperSport United in Pretoria.

“It’s pretty warm, very warm even compared to the climate in South Africa,” Boxall said.

“Just getting off the bus, the players were all beading a bit so it’s very warm.”

The 13-cap New Zealand defender says now the team have arrived in Muscat, they have begun working on their approach to taking on the 92-ranked Oman side – yet to lose in five 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this year.

“Based on recent results they are performing very well and are strong team. I think from what we’ve seen from the videos we were sent they’ve got good wide players who like to get the ball in early. So if we can nullify those threats, and get our quality players on the ball higher up the park, we should be in for a good shout.

“With the players we’ve got coming in Woodsy [Chris Wood], Marco [Rojas] and Ryan [Thomas] we should be able to create a lot of problems for them going forward.”

The 27-year-old Boxall echoed the thoughts of coach Anthony Hudson regarding the absence of the likes of captain Winston Reid from the tour, saying the team have history in performing against strong opponents this year with New Zealand’s young contingent stepping up.

“Obviously it’s disappointing not having those experienced players here but I think the players we do have in the squad are more than capable,” Boxall said.

“We’ve got the bulk of the squad which put out a very spirited performance against Korea earlier this year. With the mix of youth and enthusiasm we’ve got replacing those players we should be able to put out a similar effort to that game.”

Watch Michael Boxall and the All Whites in action against Oman LIVE on Friday 13 November from 2

All Whites squad v Oman

November 2015(Caps/Goals/Club)

Goalkeepers

Max Crocombe (0/0/Southport FC, ENG)Stefan Marinovic (2/0/SpVgg Unterhaching, GER)Nik Tzanev (0/0/Brentford FC, ENG)

Defenders

Michael Boxall (13/0/SuperSport Utd, RSA)Sam Brotherton (0/0/Wisconsin University, USA)Thomas Doyle (2/0/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)Louis Fenton (2/0/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)Themi Tzimopoulos (2/0/PAS Giannina, GRE)

Midfielders

Kosta Barbarouses (29/2/Melbourne Victory, AUS)Henry Cameron (0/0/Blackpool FC, ENG)Clayton Lewis (2/0/Auckland City FC, NZL)Michael McGlinchey (32/3/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)Marco Rojas (22/1/FC Thun, SWT)Alex Rufer (1/0/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)Ryan Thomas (4/0/PEC Zwolle, HOL)Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (0/0/Auckland City FC, NZL)

Forwards

Logan Rogerson (0/0/Wellington Phoenix, NZL)Shane Smeltz (51/24/Sydney FC, AUS)Chris Wood (38/13/Leeds Utd, ENG)

Management staff

Head coach: Anthony Hudson

Assistant coach: Alex Armstrong

Goalkeeper coach: Paul Gothard

Manager: Rob Pickstock

Head physio: Roland Jeffery

Physio: Adam CrumpSports Scientist: Aidan Wivell

Doctor: Chan Dassanayake

Technical Analyst: Jase Kim