Rebekah Stott will captain the Football Ferns in their opening match at the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier tournament while Phoenix duo Brianna Edwards and Macey Fraser will make her full international debuts.
Experienced defender Stott will lead out a strong New Zealand team against Tonga in the opening group game.
Goalkeeper Brianna Edwards (21) and midfielder Macey Fraser (21), both from the Wellington Phoenix, get their chance in the starting line-up named by head coach Jitka Klimková.
Main photo: Macey Fraser … to start against Tonga.
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday February 7, 2024
New Zealand v Tonga
Apia Park, Apia, Samoa, 1pm (NZT)
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Starting line-ups
Tonga
18 Madison Tenifa (GK)
2 Lavinia Afu
3 Ana Lauteau
5 Melaia Polovili
6 Telusila Vunipola
7 Lositika Feke (C)
9 Ana Polovili
10 Eden Makaafi
11 Leila Hausia-Haugen
12 Fololeni Filitonga
15 Meleseini Tufui
Substitutes
1 Kalolaine Topui (GK)
19 Hehea Taufa (GK)
4 Lisimani Helu
8 Sachi Swift
13 Leeann Taufa Ao
14 Tamaa Faletau
16 Seini Lutu
17 Latusiu Lomu
20 Siunipia Ta-Lasinga
21 Lusitania Koloa
22 Oro Ta Ufo’ou
Head coach: Kilifi Uele
New Zealand
22. Brianna Edwards (GK)
15. Liz Anton
4. Mackenzie Barry
3. Claudia Bunge
13. Rebekah Stott (captain)
8. Daisy Cleverley
19. Ava Collins
6. Macey Fraser
11. Ally Green
18. Grace Jale
16. Ruby Nathan
Substitutes
1. Anna Leat (GK)
14. Katie Bowen
5. Michaela Foster
12. Betsy Hassett
9. Gabi Rennie
20. Indiah-Paige Riley
2. Kate Taylor
Head coach: Jitka Klimková
Officials
Referee: Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)
Assistant referees: Natalia Lumukana, Jeffery Solodia (Solomon Islands)
Fourth official: Shama Maemae (Solomon Islands)
Fifth official: Stephanie Minan (Papua New Guinea)
Referee assessor: Rakesh Varman (Fiji)
Match commissioner: Amitesh Pal (Fiji)
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