New Zealand Football can confirm that 127-cap midfielder Annalie Longo has withdrawn from the Ford Football Ferns squad through injury.

Longo was forced off early in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Mexico. Subsequent scans have shown she has torn the ACL and MCL in her left knee, and she will return to New Zealand to begin her recovery.

“We’re heartbroken for Annalie, who is such an important member of our whānau” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.

“Football can be brutal, and this is one of those times. We will do everything we can to support Annalie in her recovery.”

Article added: Sunday 04 September 2022