Luka Prelevic has recieved a maiden call-up to the New Zealand senior national team, drafted into their OFC Nations Cup squad in place of injured veteran Shane Smeltz.
The 20-year-old has played through the junior age groups for New Zealand and was recently selected alongside Eastern Lions’ Sam Burfoot and South Melbourne’s Luke Adams as members of a preliminary training camp in Brisbane, where all three featured in a 2-0 victory over NPL side Western Pride.
.@ShaneSmeltz ruled out of the @OFCfootball Nations Cup, replaced by Luka Prelevic. https://t.co/12Cavtxk3I pic.twitter.com/R1LuC9ZYQC
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) May 24, 2016
Prelevic joined Port Melbourne Sharks in 2013, netting three times from 12 appearances – including 10 starts – before stringing together an impressive consolidating season in 2014 where he appeared 25 times for a return of four goals
His form secured him a move into the A-League system with Melbourne City, where he impressed throughout his inaugural National Youth League, deployed mainly as an attacking midfielder, but also displaying his versatility as a striker.
Prelevic continued his development into City’s inaugural NPL1 campaign, where the creative force claimed the Rising Star award in a standout campaign in the state’s second tier, before securing a move to Pascoe Vale this season.
Melbourne-born Adams was also selected in the squad having previously also represented the All Whites at Under-20 level and also Under-23 level.
The 22-year-old defender has been in great form for South Melbourne this season and has made 36 league appearances, scoring four goals since arriving at Lakeside Stadium in 2015
The pair join the likes of departing Melbourne Victory winger Kosta Barbarouses, Wellington Phoenix midfielder Michael McGlinchey, former A-League Rising Star Marco Rojas and ex-Leicester City and current Leeds United forward Chris Wood in the squad which begin their OFC Nations Cup campaign this Saturday against Fiji.
Photo: Pascoe Vale