The Junior Football Ferns depart on Monday for the matches on May 13 and 15 which coach Tony Readings sees as formidable but apt warm up for a July’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup where New Zealand face Brazil, North Korea and Sweden.
“For us it’s an excellent opportunity to pit ourselves against the quality of opposition where are going to get in our group,” Readings said.
“Given our opposition, every game in our group is going to be at that level.
“Our plan was to get a game against a tough team before we left for the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany just to get a benchmark of where we are and focus on things we need to work on for the finals.”
With five players injured or unavailable, Readings has given a World Cup lifeline to former North Force midfielder Katie Rood and sometimes Football Ferns striker Renee Leota.
“Both Katie and Renee have been training really well. We’ve had plenty of injuries recently so these two have taken the opportunity to step up and impress.”
“Renee was unavailable for the qualifiers in January but was always in our plans.”
“Katie is an exciting prospect that’s come into the frame only recently. She’s quick and skilful and our job is to utilise those talents.
Junior Football Ferns squad for USA friendlies
Goalkeepers
Vic ESSON (Fencibles United)
Erin NAYLER (Eastern Suburbs)
Defenders
Bridgette ARMSTRONG (Glenfield Rovers)
Catlin CAMPBELL (Lynn Avon United)
Anna GREEN (Captain, Three Kings United)
Liz MILNE (Glenfield Rovers)
Briony FISHER (Three Kings United)
Hannah WALL (Three Kings United)
Chelsey Wood (Three Kings United)
Midfielders
Emily COOPER (Metro)
Claudia CRASBORN (Three Kings United)
Annalie LONGO (Three Kings United)
Sarah MCLAUGHLIN (Claudelands Rovers)
Nadia PEARL (Three Kings United)
Strikers
Rene LEOTA (Waterside Karori)
Katie ROOD (Glenfield Rovers)
Rosie WHITE (Three Kings United)
Hannah WILKINSON (Glenfield Rovers)
U-20 Women’s Internationals
New Zealand v USA
Los Angeles
May 13 and 15
Story courtesy NZF Media.
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