The squad, ranked 20th in the world for the Japan clash, is refreshed by the return of four senior players as three-time OFC Women’s Player of the Year Ali Riley returns with fellow defenders Ria Percival and Anna Green along with goalkeeper Rebecca Rolls after the quartet missed the Cyprus Cup in March due to injury or unavailability.
Coach Tony Readings says the match in Osaka offers the ultimate yardstick for a Football Ferns side which took a 1-1 draw against the same opposition in Fukuoka in June last year.
“It’s been a year since we last played each other so this match is a great opportunity to see how both teams have progressed,” Readings said.
“What it also provides is an opportunity to see which areas we will need to fine tune moving forward, as we aim to meet the challenge of the marquee sides head on at the pinnacle tournaments on the horizon.”
Japan, fresh off the success of their U-17 women’s side claiming their age-group World Cup title in Costa Rica in March, are known for their eye-catching, possession-based style and Readings said the encounter brings together two sides with similar approaches.
“Both teams like to dominate possession so it should be an exciting match in that regard.
“We are going to face a stern challenge in several core areas we need to improve against the top sides like Japan.
“Our opponents this year have caused us some different problems in terms of us building possession so this match will be an ideal test to see what we’ve learned in the key areas of our build up play and also in the moments when we win or lose the ball.”
With Katie Hoyle (Notts County), Betsy Hassett (Manchester City FC) and Green (Notts County) named, the squad includes three players who are involved in the new England FA Women’s Super League competition which kicked off this week.
Football Ferns squad – Japan
May, 2014
(Caps, Goals, Club)
Goalkeepers
Erin Nayler (14, 0 – Glenfield Rovers, NZ)
Rebecca Rolls (18, 0 – Three Kings Utd, NZ)
Defenders
Katie Bowen (18, 0 – University of North Carolina, USA)
Abby Erceg (capt, 96, 4 – USV Jena, GER)
Anna Green (56, 7 – Notts County, ENG)
Megan Lee (4, 0 – Louisiana State University, USA)
Meikayla Moore (6, 0 – Coastal Spirit, NZ)
Ria Percival (88, 8 – USV Jena, GER)
Ali Riley (76, 1 – FC Rosengard, SWE)
Rebekah Stott (22, 0 – SC Sand, GER)
Midfielders
Betsy Hassett (62, 6 – Manchester City FC, ENG)
Katie Hoyle (86, 1 – Notts County, ENG)
Annalie Longo (62, 1 – Three Kings Utd, NZ)
Evie Millynn (1, 0 – San Diego State University, NZ)
Kirsty Yallop (78, 11 – Vittsjo, SWE)
Forwards
Helen Collins (17, 0 – Claudelands Rovers, NZ)
Sarah Gregorius (50, 18 – Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ)
Amber Hearn (82, 36 – USV Jena, GER)
Rosie White (56, 10 – UCLA, USA)
Hannah Wilkinson (55, 19 – University of Tennessee, USA)
Management Staff
Coach: Tony Readings
Assistant coach: Jitka Klimkova
Goalkeeper coach: Danny Robinson
Match schedule
Japan v New Zealand
Thursday 8 May, 2014
Kincho Stadium, Osaka
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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