New Zealand have lost another player to injury at the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier tournament in Samoa.
Fullback Grace Neville has become the third player to leave the squad through injury, and she will rejoin her English club, the London City Lionesses, for treatment.
Main photo: Grace Neville … on her way back to London for treatment.
The Wellington Phoenix midfield duo of Annalie Longo (calf strain) and Macey Fraser (mild concussion) were also forced to leave the eight-team tournament early.
In a statement, NZ Football said:
“Grace Neville has withdrawn from the OFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament squad following a mild calf strain during the Ford Football Ferns semi-final against Fiji.
“Grace will return to England to be treated in her club environment and will not feature in Monday’s final against Solomon Islands. We wish Grace a fast recovery!”
READ MORE: Injury forces midfielder Macey Fraser out of OFC Women’s Olympic qualifiers >>>>
READ MORE: Midfielder Annalie Longo pulls out of Football Ferns squad ‘as a precaution’ >>>>
New Zealand play Solomon Islands in Monday’s final to decide which nation will represent Oceania at the Paris Olympics in July.
The Ferns beat Fiji 7-1 in their semi-final on Friday.
READ MORE: Ruthless Ferns move a step closer to Paris Olympics with big win against Fiji >>>>
Fixture
Game to be played on Monday February 19, 2024
Final
Solomon Islands v New Zealand
FFS Football Stadium, Apia, 5pm (NZT)
Squads
New Zealand
Mackenzie Barry Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Katie Bowen Inter Milan, Italy
Claudia Bunge HB Køge, Denmark
Daisy Cleverley HB Køge, Denmark
Ava Collins St John’s University, USA
Brianna Edwards Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Victoria Esson Rangers FC, Scotland
Michaela Foster Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Ally Green AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand Lewes FC, England
Betsy Hassett Stjarnan FC, Iceland
Grace Jale Perth Glory, Australia
Katie Kitching Sunderland AFC, England
Anna Leat Aston Villa FC, England
Ruby Nathan Canberra United, Australia
Gabi Rennie Unattached
Indiah-Paige Riley PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Rebekah Stott Melbourne City FC, Australia
Kate Taylor Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Hannah Wilkinson Melbourne City FC, Australia
Head coach: Jitka Klimková
Solomon Islands
Xeyana Salanoa (GK)
Angelique Tuisamoa (GK)
Repeka Asofa Salele (GK)
Lianna Soifua (captain)
Jaedeci Uluvili
Leah Manuleleua
Sariah Taeaoalii
Torijan Lyne-lewis
Jayda Stewart
Sasjah Vikolia Dade
Alisa Tuatagaloa
Monique Fischer
Malia Jessop
Xevani Salanoa
Khelistar Murray-Kumitau
Arianna Skeers
Lilly Dowsing
Shontelle Stevens
Alexandrea Ape-paia
Grace Taeoalii|
Jordyn Eldredge Sagapolutele
Head coach: Juan Chang Urrea
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