Chris James: The Future of New Zealand Soccer

Right now 28-year-old midfielder Chris James is starring for Tampere United in the Finnish Veikkausliiga. So far this season, James has notched five goals in 14 appearances. The former Fulham player actually played in over 30 matches for the various English youth squads, but decided to play his senior international soccer for the country of his birth with the New Zealand All Whites.

With Australia now off qualifying in Asia for the 2010 World Cup, New Zealand will likely come out of the Oceania bracket if the squad can outplay New Caledonia this September.

18-man All Whites squad.

Goalkeepers: Glen Moss (Wellington Phoenix ), Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders: Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), David Mulligan (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Steven Old (Macarthur Rams), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix)

Midfielders: Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (Unattached), Chris James (Tampere United), Duncan Oughton (Columbus Crew), Allan Pearce (Waitakere United)

Forwards: Chris Killen (Celtic FC), Shane Smeltz (Wellington Phoenix), Jarrod Smith (Toronto FC)

Match Dates:

September 6 – New Caledonia vs New Zealand
Stade Numa-Daly Magenta
Noumea
Kickoff: 5pm in New Caledonia

September 10 – New Zealand vs New Caledonia
North Harbour Stadium
Albany, Auckland
Kickoff: 7.35pm in New Zealand