A strong cohort of Liberty A-League players will feature for the Football Ferns in next month’s international friendlies against Thailand.
Of the 24-player squad selected to face Thailand in Christchurch on April 6 and 9, nine ply their trade in the Liberty A-League.
Melbourne City pair Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson and Wellington Phoenix quintet Kate Taylor, Mackenzie Barry, Brianna Edwards, Michaela Foster and Macey Fraser are among the squad, as well as Perth Glory’s Grace Jale and Canberra United’s Ruby Nathan.
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This will be New Zealand’s first games in their homeland since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It is exciting to name this side for our first games at home since the FIFA Women’s World Cup and come back to Christchurch, a city that is home for a significant number of our players, said head coach Jitka Klimkova.
“As we build towards the Paris 2024 Olympics we want to establish a side that combines our experienced players with emerging younger talent to put us in the best place ahead of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
“I believe with this squad we have found that right balance so look forward to assembling in Christchurch for the games against Thailand.”
Football Ferns squad:
Mackenzie Barry (14 caps) Wellington Phoenix
CJ Bott (42 caps) Leicester City
Katie Bowen (105 caps) Inter Milan
Claudia Bunge (28 caps) HB Koge
Daisy Cleverley (36 caps) HB Koge
Brianna Edwards (1 cap) Wellington Phoenix
Victoria Esson (22 caps) Rangers
Michaela Foster (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix
Macey Fraser (3 caps) Wellington Phoenix
Ally Green (11 caps) AGF
Jacqui Hand (23 caps) Lewes FC
Grace Jale (27 caps) Perth Glory
Katie Kitching (6 caps) Sunderland
Anna Leat (15 caps) Aston Villa
Meikayla Moore (63 caps) Glasgow City
Ruby Nathan (5 caps) Canberra United
Gabi Rennie (33 caps) Aland United
Ali Riley (159 caps) Angel City FC
Indiah-Paige Riley (21 caps) PSV Vrouwen
Paige Satchell (48 caps) London City Lionesses
Malia Steinmetz (27 caps) FC Nordsjælland
Rebekah Stott (100 caps) Melbourne City
Kate Taylor (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix
Hannah Wilkinson (122 caps) Melbourne City
Featured image: New Zealand Football
