Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klitková says a late decision will be made on the fitness of defender Michaela Foster ahead of Saturday’s international against Thailand.
Klitková said Foster was resting an injured ankle and the New Zealand management would make a call on matchday.
Main photo: Wellington Phoenix player Michaela Foster … in doubt for first international against Thailand.
The Ferns, rated 28th in the current FIFA rankings, will meet Thailand (#47) at the Apollo Projects Stadium, Ōtautahi Christchurch, on April 6 and 9, 2024.
Newcomer to the squad Emma Pijnenberg has managed two training sessions with the Ferns since joining as a replacement for injured defender/midfielder Kate Taylor.
READ MORE: Emma Pijnenberg to join Ferns squad as replacement for injured Kate Taylor >>>>
Klitková told a media briefing the Feyenoord midfielder had been learning how the Ferns wanted to play, and the coach said she thought Pijnenberg would add something different to the game.
Of the level of opposition posed by Thailand, Klitková said: “For us, we really want to focus mainly on us, and what is under our control. We know we are facing stronger opposition, and we need to really get better with our decision-making and execution, specifically in the final third, and this is a great opportunity for us.”
Fixture
Games to be played on Saturday April 6, 2024
International
New Zealand v Thailand
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 3pm
The Ferns game will also be broadcast by TVNZ.
New Zealand squad
Mackenzie Barry (14 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
CJ Bott (42 caps) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (105 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Claudia Bunge (28 caps) HB Koge, Denmark
Daisy Cleverley (36 caps) HB Koge, Denmark
Victoria Esson (22 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland
Aimee Feinberg-Danieli (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Michaela Foster (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Macey Fraser (3 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ally Green (11 caps) AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand (23 caps) Lewes FC, England
Grace Jale (27 caps) Perth Glory, Australia
Katie Kitching (6 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Anna Leat (15 caps) Aston Villa FC, England
Meikayla Moore (63 caps) Glasgow City FC, Scotland
Ruby Nathan (5 caps) Canberra United, Australia
Emma Pijnenberg (0 caps) Feyenoord, Netherlands
Gabi Rennie (33 caps) Aland United, Finland
Ali Riley (159 caps) Angel City FC, USA
Indiah-Paige Riley (21 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Paige Satchell (48 caps) London City Lionesses, England
Malia Steinmetz (27 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (100 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Hannah Wilkinson (122 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Withdrawals
Brianna Edwards (1 cap) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand (personal reasons)
Kate Taylor (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand (injury)
More football stories
