National U-20s head coach Gemma Lewis has named a 23-strong squad to play Australia in two games in Canberra
The Junior Football Ferns will play the double fixture on April 6 and 10 as part of their build-up to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Costa Rica from August 10-28, 2022.
Coach Lewis said COVID disruption had prevented the team playing since the World Cup qualifiers in 2019 and the games against Australia provided much-needed competition.
“It’s been a tough cycle with there being no World Cups for the U-17s or the U-20s over the last few years,” Lewis told NZ Football’s website.
Main photo: Coach Lewis … has named a squad with mix of A-League, domestic club and overseas players. Image: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
New Zealand U-20 squad
Alyssa Whinham; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Aniela Jensen; University of the Pacific, USA
Ava Pritchard; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Brianna Edwards; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Charlotte Lancaster; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Charlotte Wilford-Carroll; Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ
Chloe Bellamy; West Coast Rangers FC, NZ
Emma Pijnenburg; Western Springs AFC, NZ
Jana Niedermayr; Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ
Jemma Catherwood; Wellington United AFC, NZ
Kate Duncan; Auckland United FC, NZ
Kate Taylor; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Kitty Jacob; Western Springs AFC, NZ
Macey Fraser; Wellington Phoenix Academy, NZ
Marisa van der Meer; Melbourne City FC, NZ
Milly Clegg; Auckland United FC, NZ
Murphy Sheaff; Jacksonville University, USA
Olivia Ingham; Wellington Phoenix Academy, NZ
Rene Wasi; Unattached
Rylee Godbold; Hamilton Wanderers AFC, NZ
Te Reremoana Walker; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
Tui Dugan; Arizona State University, USA
Zoe McMeeken; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ
The matches
Australia v New Zealand
Wednesday April 6, 2022
Deakin Stadium, Canberra
Kick off: 8.30pm (NZT)
Australia v New Zealand
Sunday April 10, 2022
Viking Stadium, Canberra
Kick off: 4.00pm (NZT)