AUCKLAND – Nine of New Zealand’s U-17 women’s footballers face the enviable challenge of competing in two World Cups in two months after being named in John Herdman’s final squad for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile in November.

However, there be time to celebrate for the lucky nine – including senior international Annalie Longo and promising 15-year-old striker Rosie White and – as their U-17 campaign begins at North Harbour Stadium against Canada next Tuesday.

There’ll also be little time to come down after their campaign as the U-20 edition begins on November 19, just three days after the North Harbour-hosted final of the inaugural U-17 event.

Despite the youthful mix to the squad, the Junior Football Ferns can field nine players capped at senior level including six Olympians and five veterans of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Additionally, Chile 2008 will be the second U-20 Women’s World Cup for seven players of the 2006 squad to Russia, where New Zealand drew with a bronze-medalling Brazil in pool play.

Head coach John Herdman believed an investment in young players over the past two years was beginning to pay dividends.

“At the last two U-20 World Cups the successful teams have been the oldest teams and the ones with the most senior experience,” Herdman said.

“With our experience, we’ve got half of that magic formula and that’s due to a strategy of exposing young players to the international football environment over the past two years.”

“Ultimately we’re building a senior team for both the 2011 World Cup in Germany and the 2012 London Olympics, but winning is already on the radar for this group.”

New Zealand open their campaign against African Champions Nigeria on November 19, before facing World Cup hosts Chile on November 22, and heavyweights England four days later.

Despite limited training time together, the Junior Football Ferns have showed plenty of promise in their only warm up matches to date.

A September tour to Chile began with a 2-1 loss to their hosts but New Zealand bounced back with a 1-1 draw with Canada and a convincing 3-0 win over fellow qualifiers Mexico.

New Zealand Squad for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup – Chile, November 19 – December 7.

Goalkeepers: Rebekah Brook (Northern AFC), Victoria Esson (Glenfield Rovers), Charlotte Wood (Three Kings United)

Defenders: Bridget Armstrong (Glenfield Rovers), Abby Erceg (Western Springs), Briony Fisher (Western Springs), Anna Green (Three Kings United), Elizabeth Milne (Western Springs), Ria Percival (Lynn-Avon AFC), Nicole Stratford (Three Kings United).

Midfielders: Caitlin Campbell (Glenfield Rovers), Betsy Hassett (Three Kings United), Katie Hoyle (Lynn-Avon United), Annalie Longo (Three Kings United), Grace Vincent (Western Springs), Rosie White (Western Springs), Chelsey Wood (Western Springs)

Forwards: Renee Leota (Western Springs), Sarah McLaughlin (Claudelands Rovers), Merissa Smith (Three Kings United), Hannah Wall (Western Springs).

Management: John Herdman – Head Coach, Ali Grant – Assistant Coach, Tony Readings (Technical Analyst), Simon Eaddy (Goalkeeping Coach), Kristy Hill – Team Manager, Meridy Boyd-Clark – Physiotherapist, Brad Conza – Sport Scientist, Doctor to be added.

Player notes:

Players capped at senior level: Green, Erceg, Percival, Hoyle, Longo, Campbell, Hassett, Leota and Smith.

Members of 2008 Olympic Games squad: Green, Erceg, Percival, Hoyle, Leota and Smith.

Members of 2007 Women’s World Cup squad: Erceg, Percival, Hoyle, Longo, and Smith.

Members of 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup squad: Erceg, Percival, Hoyle, Campbell, Longo, Leota, and Smith.

Members of 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup squad: Esson, Wood, Armstrong, Fisher, Longo, Campbell, White, McLaughlin, and Wall.

World Cup Schedule

Nov 19: New Zealand v Nigeria, Coquimbo

Nov 22: New Zealand v Chile, Coquimbo

Nov 26: New Zealand v England, Santiago De Chile

Nov 30: Quarter-finals

Dec 4: Semi-finals

Dec 7: Final

Story courtesy of NZF Media.

For more information visit www.nzsoccer.com