Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková has selected a 24-player squad for the Ford Football Ferns’ October match against world number 11 Nadeshiko Japan on 9 October.

There’s a new face in the squad, as Wellington Phoenix attacking midfielder Alyssa Whinham receives her first call up to the senior Ferns side, coming off the back of her break-out season for the A-League side and the Junior Football Ferns’ FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in August.

Klimková is excited to bring the young midfielder into the squad for the first time.

“Alyssa will bring a lot of creativity to the Ferns whānau - her skills on the ball are just different compared with what we have in the team so far. She’s a very unpredictable player and it will be fun to see how she fits in, and how she adapts to the greater physicality and speed of senior international football.”

The Ferns come into this window off the back of two wins earlier this month against Mexico and the Philippines. Klimková is pleased the team has the opportunity to come back together so quickly as they continue to build towards next year’s home FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“It’s great that we’re coming back together so soon after two wins, giving us the opportunity to build on that momentum as we go into this window’s game with Japan, who obviously are a tough opposition.”

Japan come into the October window having been undefeated since February this year, when they made the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Championship and were eliminated by eventual winners China on penalties.

Ford Football Ferns squad October 2022

Elizabeth Anton; Perth Glory, Australia

Mackenzie Barry; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

Hannah Blake; University of Michigan, USA

CJ Bott; Leicester City, England

Katie Bowen; North Carolina Courage, USA

Claudia Bunge; Melbourne Victory FC, Australia

Olivia Chance; Celtic FC, Scotland

Victoria Esson; Rangers FC, Scotland

Ally Green; Vålerenga, Norway

Jacqui Hand; Åland United, Finland

Betsy Hassett; Stjarnan, Iceland

Grace Jale; Canberra United, Australia

Anna Leat; Aston Villa FC, England

Meikayla Moore; Glasgow City FC, Scotland

Erin Nayler; Umeå IK, Sweden

Gabi Rennie; Arizona State University, USA

Ali Riley; Angel City FC, USA

Indiah-Paige Riley; Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark

Emma Rolston; Avaldsnes IL, Norway

Paige Satchell; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

Malia Steinmetz; Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia

Kate Taylor; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

Hannah Wilkinson; Melbourne City FC, Australia

Alyssa Whinham; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ*

* First Ford Football Ferns call up

Match details

Japan vs Ford Football Ferns
9 October, KO 2.55pm local time
Nagano U Stadium, Nagano

Article added: Wednesday 28 September 2022