New Zealand Football have named an U-20s women’s squad to meet Australia in a ‘training game’ to be staged at Auckland’s Kiwitea St on Sunday June 12.
The game is an important stepping stone to prepare for the FIFA U-20s Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August.
The match will have free admission for spectators, and kick off at 2pm.
A second game is planned to take place behind closed doors.
Junior Ferns head coach Gemma Lewis (pictured) told the NZ Football website:
“We’re really pleased to be able to back up our time in Canberra back in April with the chance to play Australia at home,” she says.
“The more opportunities for games we can get for our players to experience international football and get more minutes at that level, the better for their development.
“Looking ahead to the World Cup in Costa Rica this is especially important as we’ll be coming up against teams from other confederations, like UEFA, who have greater access to international football as they prepare for the World Cup.
“Obviously it’s good preparation for us going into the World Cup, but even going beyond this year’s tournaments it’s great that we’re building a relationship with Australia and getting these opportunities for our age group players.”
New Zealand U-20 squad
Coach Lewis announced the following 24-player squad:
Junior Football Ferns Squad (player; club/university):
Alina Santos; PN Marist FC (NZ)
Alyssa Whinham; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
Aniela Jensen; University of the Pacific (USA)
Ava Collins; St John’s University (USA)
Ava Pritchard; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
Brianna Edwards; Bankstown City Lions (AUS)
Charlotte Lancaster; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
Charlotte Wilford-Carroll; Eastern Suburbs AFC (NZ)
Chloe Bellamy; West Coast Rangers FC (NZ)
Ella Findlay; Eastern Suburbs AFC (NZ)
Emma Pijnenburg; Western Springs AFC (NZ)
Grace Wisnewski; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
Jana Niedermayr; Eastern Suburbs AFC (NZ)
Kate Duncan; Auckland United FC (NZ)
Kate Taylor; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
Macey Fraser; Wellington Phoenix Academy (NZ)
Marisa van der Meer; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
Milly Clegg; Auckland United FC (NZ)
Murphy Sheaff; Jacksonville University (USA)
Ruby Nathan; Auckland United FC (NZ)
Rylee Godbold; Hamilton Wanderers (NZ)
Te Reremoana Walker; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
Tupelo Dugan; Arizona State University (USA)
Zoe McMeeken; A-League Off Season Programme (NZ)
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