Ingham Brothers Both Make All Whites Squad

Brother's Dane Ingham (17) and Jai Ingham (23) have both been named in the All Whites squad for the OFC Stage Three Qualifiers against Fiji - the next step of FIFA World Cup qualifying. 

Australian born Dane, the youngest of the brothers was selected to join the 23-man squad along side his brother Jai, the first brothers to be named in a New Zealand squad since Neil and Kenny Harlock in 1997. 

"It was a pretty special moment...I was sitting at home and I got a call from my agent saying that New Zealand were interested and they were going to call me up and I got on the phone straight away to my brother and my mum and we just talked and mum was really happy to have both of us called into the squad." - Dane Ingham. 

 

The pair qualify to play for New Zealand through their mother Virginia, who was born in Dunedin before moving to Australia when she was 16.

"With my brother getting his first call up she didn’t think she would have two sons in the same team at the same time, so she was just very pleased and she was giving me advice and saying just take it all in and enjoy yourselves." 

Dane said it was a "big decision" deciding to play for New Zealand over Australia, "When I was asked to play for New Zealand it was a pretty weird feeling...I was born in Australia and grew up here, but I sat down with Jai and my parents, and as a family we decided to opt for New Zealand."

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson had been watching the pair for some time, and saw both brother's playing very well in their respective clubs. 

"Jai has been progressing with his club and his performances have been very good...Recently when Dane made his debut for the Roar, for me 20 – 30 minutes into the game and I was sold. I had seen enough. He is a really good player. I have said all along that I wouldn't be adding unless they add to the squad and these two players do that."

We spoke to Dane and Jai's uncle Patrick ah Kuoi in NZ, who was excited about their success. "I think this is huge for not only pacific people but also for Australian born pacific people. We recently had Destanee Aiava the Aussie born tennis star, now Jai & Dane. It's the result of our parents moving to NZ for a better life from the islands for our generation, then us moving on the Aussie for a better life for the next generation."

"It's another step in Samoan world domination! It's awesome to see Samoans in soccer." - Patrick ah Kuoi. 

CocoCONGRATS to Jai and Dane, we can't wait to watch them play against Fiji this month!