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Lower Hutt City and Team Wellington goalkeeper Scott Basalaj has been called up as injury cover for the New Zealand Olympic mens football team. Basalaj, 18, flies out tonight to meet the team in London when they return from their fleeting trip to Matrei, Austria where they face fellow Olympic finalists UAE tomorrow morning (4am NZT). The recent U-17 and U-20 international will provide cover for All Whites stopper Jake Gleeson who is nursing a groin injury picked up in the 2-1 loss to the Korea Republic in Seoul on Saturday. Michael OKeeffe will start in goal against the UAE. Basalaj has not replaced Gleeson in the 18 man squad at this stage. The teenagers head was still reeling from the last minute call. Its still sinking in, Basalaj said. I had mixed feelings when I initially found out and there was a lot a things going through my head but its an amazing opportunity and I cant wait to get over there. He wished Gleeson a speedy recovery and said he was ready to help Neil Emblens squad even if his role is restricted to training with the squad. Anything I can do to help out the team, even if thats just an extra body on the training pitch Im happy to help. Just being able to go over will be an amazing experience regardless of whether or not I play. The Oly Whites gain leaves a hole for Lower Hutt City ahead of this weekends ASB Chatham Cup quarterfinals with Basalaj one of their standouts on their run to the final eight. Im disappointed to miss this weekends quarterfinal. The boys have been doing so well and Im sure theyll be given an extra rev up without me and hopefully they can get into the semis. London 1908 Olympic Summer Games Football
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