New Zealand Football can confirm that 161-cap midfielder Ria Percival has withdrawn from the Ford Football Ferns squad through injury.

Percival was forced off early in the first half of Friday's 2-1 defeat to the Matildas. She had a scan on Saturday and is returning to her club Tottenham Hotspur for further assessments.

“We’re devastated for Ria,” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.

“Ria is our inspiration and our motivation. We will do everything in our power to support her through her recovery.”

Article added: Monday 11 April 2022