Familiar faces back for Navy Blues

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 11 October 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - All Whites forward Logan Rogerson is set to make his non-competitive debut for Auckland City FC in tomorrow's pre-season friendly with Hamilton Wanderers.

The one-time Wellington Phoenix player captained New Zealand to qualification for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Japan next year alongside fellow Navy Blues Myer Bevan, Cameron Brown and Conor Tracey.

Rogerson is coach Jose Figueira's seventh signing of the off-season following Keegan Linderboom, Bevan, Tracey, Andrew Blake, Adam Mitchell and Mario Ilich.

Three familiar faces are also back in the mix with Dylan Manickum, Mario Bilen and Conor Tracey included in the squad with Nick Milicich, Matt Ellis, Bradley Wilson, Luca Taylor, Nathan Lobo and Dereane Vollehoven dropping into the Junior Navy Blues.

Thomas Drillien remains the exception to that with the hat-trick hero in last week's 5-0 mauling of Eastern Suburbs AFC retaining a spot in the senior squad.

Hamilton Wanderers, coached by former All Whites boss Ricki Herbert, secured the signing of midfielder Jake Butler. Butler was a key figure during Waitakere United's heyday, winning five ISPS Handa Premiership titles and one OFC Champions League winners medal.

Butler was capped three times by New Zealand, his first in a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in 2013.

Tomorrow's match is at Auckland Grammar School's Normanby Road complex with kick-off scheduled for 7pm NZST.

Ends

Match Details
Pre-season friendly
Friday 11 October 2019
Auckland City FC v Hamilton Wanderers
Auckland Grammar School (Normanby Road)
Kick-off: 7.00pm NZST

AC: 1. Enaut ZUBIKARAI (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 4. Mario BILEN, 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON [c], 9. Thomas DRILLIEN, 10. Logan ROGERSON, 11. Keegan LINDERBOOM, 12. Dylan MANICKUM, 14. Jordan VALE, 16. Yousif ALI, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 21. Maro BONSU-MARO, 20. Adam MITCHELL, 22. Matt HODGSON, 23. Alfie ROGERS.

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA.