Junior Football Ferns eye American tests

New Zealand’s U-20 women’s football team depart on Sunday for three testing World Cup warm up matches in the USA missing one key player but including a notable new face.

OFC U-20 Women's Champions the Junior Football Ferns. Photosport.co.nz

May 11, 2012

AUCKLAND – New Zealand’s U-20 women’s football team depart on Sunday for three testing World Cup warm up matches in the USA missing one key player but including a notable new face.

As part of preparations for August’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan, the Junior Football Ferns will meet two time U-20 world champions USA in Los Angeles on May 19, preceded by matches against semi professional club sides LA Strikers and Pali Blues on May 15 and 17 respectively.

Talismanic striker Rosie White, who captained the squad through a successful qualifying campaign last month is out of action for at least six weeks due to a stress fracture in her foot that is disrupting her preparations for the London Olympics.

However, a bright spot for New Zealand is the inclusion of Melbourne Victory defender and former Australian U-20 Rebekah Stott, who last night received clearance from FIFA to represent the country of her birth.

The Papamoa-born player moved to Australia as an 11 year old and is seen as a strong contender to force her way into Olympic contention with the full New Zealand side later this year.

Despite White’s absence, the Junior Football Ferns squad still boasts five players with senior international experience, and coach Aaron McFarland is excited about the opportunity to get a near full-strength side together as they build towards Japan.

“Given the crossover in players between our team and the full Football Ferns side, opportunities like this to have the squad together and build cohesion and combinations are relatively rare but extremely important,” McFarland said.

“The USA are consistently among the leaders in women’s football and their U-20s are no exception. They will be among the favourites to lift the title in Japan and they will be a great test for us, as will the two senior club sides.

Junior Football Ferns squad to USA
Goalkeepers
Corina BROWN (Three Kings United)
Erin NAYLER (Eastern Suburbs)

Defenders
Tessa BERGER (Fencibles United)
Katie BOWEN (Captain / Glenfield Rovers)
Rachel HEAD (Lynn Avon United)
Holly PATTERSON (Claudelands Rovers)
Caitlin SMALLFIELD (Glenfield Rovers)
Rebekah STOTT (Melbourne Victory, AUS)
Ashleigh WARD (Glenfield Rovers)

Midfielders
Emily COOPER (Valdosta State University, USA)
Kate LOYE (Claudelands Rovers)
Tayla O'BRIEN (Lynn Avon United)
Nadia PEARL (Fresno University, USA)

Forwards
Olivia CHANCE (Claudelands Rovers)
Mary FRASER (Three Kings United)
Evie MILLYNN (Eastern Suburbs)
Katie ROOD (Lincoln Ladies, ENG)
Stephane SKILTON (Glenfield Rovers)
Hannah WILKINSON (Glenfield Rovers)

Management team
Head Coach: Aaron MCFARLAND
Goalkeeper Coach: Gene GRANGER
Physiotherapist: Catherine PORTEOUS  
Sports Scientist: Harriet STEELE 
Manager: Rob PICKSTOCK  

Junior Football Ferns Schedule
15 May
New Zealand v U-20 v LA Strikers
Home Depot Centre, Los Angeles
5pm (12pm May 16 NZT)

17 May 
New Zealand U-20 v Pali Blues
Home Depot Centre, Los Angeles
5pm (12pm May 18 NZT)

19 May 
New Zealand U-20 v USA U-20
Home Depot Centre, Los Angeles
3pm (10am May 20 NZT)