Football Ferns pros back for China tests

The growing contingent of overseas based professional Football Ferns will all be at coach Tony Readings’ disposal when they take on China in two Auckland-based tests matches on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.

June 15, 2012

AUCKLAND – The growing contingent of overseas based professional Football Ferns will all be at coach Tony Readings’ disposal when they take on China in two Auckland-based tests matches on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.

Six German Bundesliga players, led by New Zealand skipper Rebecca Smith, have made the trek home for the matches in Mangere and Albany – the last at home for the Ferns before the London Olympics.

Swedish based Ali Riley and Kirsty Yallop are also among the 11 overseas based players joining the squad for the China tests but will miss two matches against Australia the following week, returning instead to club duty.

With a deadline for naming his Olympic squad looming, Readings has also found room to include uncapped Rebekah Stott and recall Emma Kete who missed the Olympic qualifying win over Papua New Guinea. Striker Rosie White is still sidelined with injury.

Tauranga-born Stott recently made her age group debut for the New Zealand U-20s on a tour to the USA after previously representing Australia at age group level.

Readings said the tests against a nation New Zealand had not earned a result against in 12 full internationals were a great yardstick for the Ferns’ Olympic preparations.

“With our playing stocks increasingly based overseas, any time together as a full group is incredibly valuable,” said Readings.

“The China games will be a huge benchmark for us a month out from the Olympics but the squad are hungry to push their claims for a place on the plane to London and home support could be crucial for us.”

Football Ferns squad for matches against China and Australia
Goalkeepers
Jenny BINDON (Hibiscus Coast – 66/0)
Rebecca ROLLS (Fencibles United – 13/5)

Defenders
Katie BOWEN (Glenfield Rovers – 6/0)
Abbey ERCEG (Fencibles United – 69/4)
Anna GREEN (FC Lokomotive Leipzig, GER – 46/5)
Kristy HILL (Eastern Suburbs – 18/0)
Ria PERCIVAL (USV Jena, GER – 66/8)
Ali RILEY (LDB FC Malmö, SWE – 59/1)
Rebecca SMITH (VfL Wolfsburg, GER- 64/4)
Rebekah STOTT (Melbourne Victory, AUS – 0/0)

Midfielders
Betsy HASSETT (Univ. California Berkeley, USA – 34/4)
Katie HOYLE (Bad Neuenahr, GER – 58/1)
Annalie LONGO (Three Kings United – 38/0)
Hayley MOORWOOD (Chelsea, ENG – 76/8)
Holly PATTERSON (Claudelands Rovers – 2/0)
Kirsty YALLOP (Vittsjö GIK, SWE – 57/11)

Forwards
Sarah GREGORIUS (Bad Neuenahr, GER – 24/14)
Amber HEARN (USV Jena, GER – 55/28)
Emma KETE (Unattached – 44/3)
Hannah WILKINSON (Glenfield Rovers – 30/12)

Management
Coach: Tony READINGS
Assistant coach: Gordon FORREST
GK coach: Danny ROBINSON
Manager: Julie HOGG
Doctor: Chris HANNA
Physiotherapist: Jen SAYER
Sports Scientist: Brad CONZA
Technical Analyst: Gary CONNELL
Media Officer: Jamie SCOTT

Confirmed Olympic Build-Up (Men and Women)
Football Ferns v China
June 17
Centre Park, Robertson Rd, Mangere Auckland
2.30pm

Football Ferns v China
June 20
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
7.30pm
Live on Sky Sport 1

Football Ferns v Australia
June 24
WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Australia
3pm (5pm NZT)

Football Ferns v Australia
June 27
Wollongong, Australia
12.30pm (2.30pm NZT)

New Zealand U-23 v Japan U-23
National Stadium
Tokyo, Japan
July 11
Kickoff TBC

New Zealand Olympic Schedule
July 25
New Zealand Women v Great Britain
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
4pm (3am, July 26 NZT)

July 26
New Zealand Men v Belarus
City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry
7.45pm (6.45am, July 27 NZT)

July 28
New Zealand Women v Brazil
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
2.30pm (1am, July 29 NZT)

July 29
New Zealand Men v Egypt
Old Trafford, Manchester
2.45pm (1.45am, July 30 NZT)

July 31
New Zealand Women v Cameroon
City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry
7.45pm (6.45am, August 1 NZT)

August 1
New Zealand Men v Brazil
St James’ Park, Newcastle
2.30pm (1.30am, August 2 NZT)