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Spragg to begin collegiate career after stint with New Zealand U-20 team
August 06, 2018 | Men's Soccer
Freshman will compete for All-Whites at the OFC U-19 Championship
MADISON, Wis. -- Future Wisconsin men's soccer freshman Charles Spragg will join the team a little later than normal as he has been invited to compete in Tahiti with the New Zealand U-20 team.
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"Congratulations to Charles, it's always a huge honor to be selected by your country," head coach John Trask said. "Fortunately for us, we have a good relationship with New Zealand's Federation having been through international call-ups with Sam Brotherton. Wishing Charles and New Zealand good luck in Qualifying for the U-20 World Cup."
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A four-day draining camp in Auckland, New Zealand preceded the OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti. The tournament runs from Aug. 4-18 and is an important tournament with the top two teams from the tournament earning qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year in Poland.
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In addition to entry into the FIFA U-20 World Cup, New Zealand Football will be looking for players to add to the U-23 roster who are tasked with qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
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Spragg has plenty of experience playing for New Zealand. The Auckland native was named to the U-17 New Zealand National Team for the Oceania Qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup. He shined at the Oceania Qualifiers and was named the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball (Most Valuable Player) for his seven goals in five games. He was also named one of the 10 players to watch out for prior to the U-17 World Cup.
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On his high school team, Spragg had 70 goals and 29 assists in his 82 games with Saint Kentigern College.
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The New Zealand U-20 men open their OFC U-19 Championship against hosts Tahiti on Aug. 5.
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"Congratulations to Charles, it's always a huge honor to be selected by your country," head coach John Trask said. "Fortunately for us, we have a good relationship with New Zealand's Federation having been through international call-ups with Sam Brotherton. Wishing Charles and New Zealand good luck in Qualifying for the U-20 World Cup."
Â
A four-day draining camp in Auckland, New Zealand preceded the OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti. The tournament runs from Aug. 4-18 and is an important tournament with the top two teams from the tournament earning qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year in Poland.
Â
In addition to entry into the FIFA U-20 World Cup, New Zealand Football will be looking for players to add to the U-23 roster who are tasked with qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Â
Spragg has plenty of experience playing for New Zealand. The Auckland native was named to the U-17 New Zealand National Team for the Oceania Qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup. He shined at the Oceania Qualifiers and was named the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball (Most Valuable Player) for his seven goals in five games. He was also named one of the 10 players to watch out for prior to the U-17 World Cup.
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On his high school team, Spragg had 70 goals and 29 assists in his 82 games with Saint Kentigern College.
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The New Zealand U-20 men open their OFC U-19 Championship against hosts Tahiti on Aug. 5.
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