Pair of debutants headline 10 Ninja A-League stars called up by Football Ferns

Perth Glory forward Kelli Brown and Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Geo Candy have been called up by the Football Ferns for the first time ahead of this month’s international friendlies against Costa Rica.

The pair of debutants are among 10 Ninja A-League stars selected in New Zealand’s 23-player squad for the upcoming fixtures with Costa Rica on February 23 and February 26.

Uncapped Wellington Phoenix youngster Manaia Elliott has also been called up.

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The 10 Ninja A-League squad members selected in the Football Ferns squad come from five clubs:

Canberra United: Liz Anton, Ruby Nathan
Melbourne Victory: Claudia Bunge, Geo Candy
Perth Glory: Kelli Brown
Sydney FC: Brianna Edwards
Wellington Phoenix: Mackenzie Barry, Manaia Elliott, Grace Jale, Annalie Longo

“I feel very privileged to be naming a Ford Football Ferns team for the first time as interim head coach and I’m excited about getting back into our environment with the players,” said interim Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne.

“It’s been a thorough process since taking this role on after the Olympics and I have spent the time connecting with our wider squad of around 40 players to understand how we can start this cycle and make sure we have clarity on where we are at, and where we need to be, by the time the team hits Brazil in 2027. 

“As this is the start of a new cycle it is an opportunity to test some new and more inexperienced players, and there is a great opportunity for those selected for this tour to show me where their strengths lie and how that will support the team getting success on the pitch.  

“The priority remains to put us in the best place to win games and get out of the group at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, and this is a great opportunity to begin creating some competition for positions. 

“The team will be playing regularly in the build-up to the next World Cup so there are ample opportunities for a range of players to be involved early in the cycle. 

“We want to make sure that come the next major tournament we have tested a number of options and systems that allow us to be more threatening on the pitch, more exciting on the ball, and be a team that looks and feels different in the way we win games.”

Full squad:

Liz Anton (19 caps) Canberra United, Australia
Mackenzie Barry (20 caps) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Hannah Blake (6 caps) Durham FC, England
Kelli Brown (debut) Perth Glory, Australia
Claudia Bunge (31 caps) Melbourne Victory, Australia
Geo Candy (debut) Melbourne Victory, Australia
Milly Clegg (12 caps) Halifax Tides FC, Canada
Brianna Edwards (1 cap) Sydney FC, Australia
Manaia Elliott (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Victoria Esson (24 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland
Michaela Foster (22 caps) Durham FC, England
Macey Fraser (6 caps) Utah Royals, USA
Maya Hahn (debut) FFC Turbine Potsdam, Germany
Jacqui Hand (31 caps) Sheffield United, England
Grace Jale (34 caps) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Katie Kitching (14 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Annalie Longo (136 caps) Wellington Phoenix, Aotearoa New Zealand
Meikayla Moore (67 caps) Calgary Wild FC, Canada
Ruby Nathan (5 caps) Canberra United, Australia
Grace Neville (10 caps) London City Lionesses, England
Emma Pijnenburg (0 caps) Feyenoord Rotterdam, Netherlands
Indiah-Paige Riley (27 caps) Crystal Palace, England
Kate Taylor (21 caps) Dijon FCO, France