Bit O’ Red defender Nando Pijnaker has been included in New Zealand’s Senior squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Qatar.

The eight team tournament starts on March 17th and consists of two groups of four. Nando and New Zealand have been drawn to play Papua New Guinea on Friday March 18th (2pm Irish Time), Fiji on Monday March 21st (5pm Irish Time) and New Caledonia on Thursday March 24th (5pm Irish Time).

The top two teams in both groups will advance to semi finals with a final set to take place on March 31st.

The winner will then progress to play in the Intercontinental Play-Off against the fourth placed Concacaf team for a place at The World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Pijnaker will play for The Bit O’ Red against Shamrock Rovers next Friday night in Tallaght (March 18th) before travelling to Qatar to join up with the squad for their games against Fiji and New Caledonia.

Pijnaker:

”I am happy and excited to be back involved with the national team and I am looking forward to the games ahead”