Western United academy young gun Luka Coveny is set for a memorable moment after being selected in the New Zealand squad for the upcoming FIFA under 17 World Cup held in Indonesia.
The talented centre-back has developed significantly since joining United’s Academy in 2023, becoming a mainstay in the heart of defence for the under 21’s side.
Coached by his father Vaughan, Luka Coveny will hope to continue following in his footsteps with the Kiwi icon having made 64 appearances and scored 30 goals for the All Whites.
A tall and physically dominant defender, Coveny excels in aerial duels and one-on-one defending while also demonstrating a strong ball-playing ability to help his side build up from the back.
Western United academy director Anthony Frost said Coveny’s work ethic and improvement was reflected in this landmark moment in his young career.
“We are thrilled for Luka to be given this opportunity and immensely proud of the work that he has put in to earn this chance,” he said.
“Since joining our academy, Luka has consistently demonstrated his willingness to learn and improve each day and has been a key part of our senior academy set up.
“The opportunity to play at a World Cup does not come around every day, and we are excited for Luka to enjoy the experience of this tournament and use it to continue furthering himself on and off the pitch.”
New Zealand have been drawn into a difficult Group F in the tournament alongside European powerhouse Germany and two sides from the Americas in Mexico and Venezuela.
The 24-team tournament kicks off on Friday 10 November AEDT, with New Zealand’s first match coming against Venezuela.
The side will be out to earn a top-two finish in the group to guarantee progression to the Round of 16, while the best four third-placed teams will also secure qualification.
