Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce today that centre back Michael Boxall (New Zealand) and midfielder Nizar Khalfan (Tanzania) have been called up by their respective national teams. Boxall will join the New Zealand squad on Sunday, while Khalfan will leave to join the Tanzania squad on Monday.
Boxall earns his second call-up to the New Zealand squad after making his senior international debut for the All Whites during a 1-1 friendly draw away to China on March 25. The former University of California, Santa Barbara, product will be available to Ricki Herbert's side for next Wednesday's friendly versus Mexico in Denver, Colorado, and the Sunday, June 5, friendly away to arch-rivals Australia.
Khalfan, meanwhile, was called up by his native Tanzania for their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier away to Central African Republic on Sunday, June 5. The winger's last two appearances for the Taifa Stars came in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying late last year. Tanzania drew 1-1 away to Algeria on September 3, 2010, before falling 1-0 at home to Morocco on October 9, 2010.
As a result, Boxall and Khalfan will miss Whitecaps FC's Major League Soccer match away to Chivas USA on Wednesday night and Vancouver's league visit to Real Salt Lake on Saturday, June 4.
On Saturday afternoon, Whitecaps FC take on Eastern Conference club New York Red Bulls on Bell Pitch at Empire Field kicks off at 2:30 p.m. PT. Individual match tickets start at $20, plus applicable service charges, and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and Charge-by-Phone at 1.855.6.GO-CAPS (1.855.646.2277). CLICK HERE for more information on individual match tickets for the club's inaugural MLS season.
Whitecaps FC's home match versus New York Red Bulls can also be seen live on TSN and Bell mobile devices at 2:30 p.m. PT. 'Caps fans can also listen to Saturday's contest live on TEAM 1410 radio and teamradio.ca, starting with the pre-game show at 12:30 p.m. PT. TEAM 1410 will also have a two-hour post-game show, which will begin following the match at around 4:30 p.m. PT.
Whitecaps FC fans now have the option of purchasing three exciting new match packs. Starting at just $159, the match pack options - GOING HOLLYWOOD, I (HEART) NY, LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR? - all include the Manchester City FC friendly match, valued at $60, and four coveted MLS matches. Aside from season tickets, which also include the Manchester City game, match packs are currently the only way to secure a ticket to the July 18 international friendly. For additional information on match packs, visit whitecapsfc.com/matchpacks.
