The All Whites will play American A League side Virginia Beach tomorrow as they continue to prepare for the FIFA Confederations Cup, now just 16 days away. The side trained twice today at their base in Washington, with Chris Jackson the only player not to take a full part in the session as he continues to recover from a calf strain suffered against Scotland. Jackson and goalkeeper Jason Batty will be rested for the match against Virginia. Danny Hay and Chris Killen both trained, as did Ivan Vicelich who has joined the squad after completing his season with Roda JC in Holland. Stanford University captain Michael Wilson has also joined the team after his call-up to replace the injured Brent Fisher. Gavin Wilkinson has arrived from Portland Timbers, no doubt with some useful information on fellow A League side Virginia ahead of tomorrows match. Noah Hickey arrives from Finland tomorrow and Aaran Lines two days later from Poland. Both will be considered for the match against the USA on June 8th. Head Coach Mick Waitt has the added bonus of Ryan Nelsen being back in camp, despite being scheduled to play for DC United on June 7th in the MLS. Nelsen has been released to continue training with the All Whites, rather than DC. The team will travel by coach to Virginia overnight (NZT), a journey expected to take 4 hours. The match against Virginia will kick off at 11am on Wednesday June 4th (NZT). NZ Team to play Virginia Beach: M Utting, D Oughton, C Zoricich (cpt), R Nelsen, G Davis, I Vicelich, R de Gregorio, M Burton, C Bouckenooghe, V Coveny, S Smeltz. Substitutes: M Paston, D Hay, C Killen, G Wilkinson, M Wilson, D Mulligan, S Smith, S Elliott. Crowdie.
All Whites Win With Ease New Zealand was never troubled in accounting for American A League side Virginia Beach Mariners 2-0 in Virginia tonight. The match is the second for the All Whites on their Confederations Cup warm up tour and camp. Head Coach Mick Waitt took the opportunity to give all 7 substitutes a run in the second half, including a debut for Stanford University captain and former Western Suburbs player Michael Wilson. Ryan Nelsen and Chris Killen scored the All Whites goals, both coming in the second spell. The match was played in excellent conditions on a very good playing surface at the Virginia Sportsplex. NZ 2 R Nelsen 76th, C Killen 78th Virginia Beach Mariners 0 NZ: M Utting (M Paston 45), D Oughton, C Zoricich (cpt) (D Hay 71), R Nelsen, G Davis, I Vicelich (G Wilkinson 85), R de Gregorio (M Wilson 68), M Burton (S Smith 82), C Bouckenooghe (D Mulligan 64), V Coveny, S Smeltz (C Killen 60). 5th: Raf de Gregorio shoots but the Mariners keeper makes a good save 24th: Vaughn Coveny breaks down the left and crosses for Christian Bouckenooghe, his header is well saved 25th: Hamis breaks down the right for the Mariners, his cross is not converted 36th: Dante Washington, the Mariners best player has his shot saved by Michael Utting 40th: Coveny is robbed in the act of shooting, Ryan Nelsen goes close from the resulting corner. Halftime 0-0 76th: Ryan Nelsen scores after a David Mulligan corner. His initial header is saved but he scores with his right foot on the rebound 78th: Substitute Chris Killen stays composed, rounds the keeper and scores the All Whites second goal. Fulltime 2-0 NZ Crowdie.