Head coach Leon Birnie has named an 18-player squad for the New Zealand team going to the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship.
The tournament will take place in Fiji from June 21 till July 8.
Winning the tournament provides automatic qualification to the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams next year.
New Zealand squad
Zoe Benson Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand
Kiara Bercelli U.C. Sampdoria, Italy
Danielle Canham Auckland United, New Zealand
Lara Colpi Western Springs, New Zealand
Alexis Cook Auckland United, New Zealand
Aimee Danieli Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Charlotte Eagle Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Manaia Elliott Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Helena Errington Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Marie Green Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Suya Haering Auckland United, New Zealand
Ella McCann Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Zoe McMeeken Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ella McMillan Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
Charlotte Mortlock Cashmere Technical, New Zealand
Ruby Nathan Auckland United, New Zealand
Emma Pijnenburg Feyenoord Beloften Vrouwen, Netherlands
Rebekah Trewhitt Wellington Phoenix Academy, New Zealand
‘This is a great opportunity’
Coach Birnie said: “I’m really keen to get our FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign underway and continue the work we started with a large number of this group in the previous World Cup cycle.
“The experience of the last campaign will be enormously valuable as we look to qualify for the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
“This is a great opportunity for this group of players to come together, showcase what they can do and continue their Football development.”
The draw
New Zealand have been drawn to play Fiji and Papua New Guinea in Group B.
The three group winners, three second-placed teams and the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Fixtures
Game to be played on Thursday June 22, 2023
New Zealand v Fiji
HFC Stadium, Suva, 4pm (NZT)
Game to be played on Sunday June 25, 2023
New Zealand v Papua New Guinea
HFC Stadium, Suva, 4pm (NZT)
The schedule
