Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková has named a strong 24-player squad for the team’s two upcoming international friendlies against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finalists Japan (FIFA rank no. 7), set to be played on Saturday 1 June NZT (Friday 31 May local) and Tuesday 4 June NZT (Monday 3 June local) at Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia, Spain. 

The squad sees 18-year-old forward Milly Clegg return to the side for the first time since her move to NWSL team Racing Louisville FC and after missing both tours so far in 2024 due to injury. 

London City Lionesses’ Grace Neville is also recalled, along with uncapped goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff who transferred colleges to Kansas State University.

10 of the players selected (Barry, Clegg, Foster, Fraser, Green, Hand, Kitching, Neville, I Riley and Taylor) were given their debuts by Klimková.

The Ford Football Ferns will be looking to build on their current seven-match unbeaten run following winning February’s OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Samoa and the two-game April series against Thailand in Ōtautahi Christchurch. 

The full 24-player squad is:

Mackenzie Barry (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
CJ Bott (44 caps) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (107 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Claudia Bunge (30 caps) HB Køge, Denmark
Daisy Cleverley (37 caps) HB Køge, Denmark
Milly Clegg (6 caps) Racing Louisville FC, USA
Victoria Esson (23 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland
Michaela Foster (16 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Macey Fraser (5 caps) Utah Royals, USA
Ally Green (12 caps) AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand (25 caps) Lewes FC, England
Grace Jale (29 caps) Unattached
Katie Kitching (8 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Anna Leat (16 caps) Aston Villa FC, England
Meikayla Moore (64 caps) Glasgow City FC, Scotland
Grace Neville (8 caps) London City Lionesses, England
Gabi Rennie (35 caps) Åland United, Finland
Ali Riley (161 caps) Angel City FC, USA
Indiah-Paige Riley (23 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Murphy Sheaff (0 caps) Kansas State University, USA
Malia Steinmetz (29 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (101 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Kate Taylor (15 caps) Unattached
Hannah Wilkinson (124 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia

Coach Klimková is excited to see her side test themselves against a high calibre opposition as the team finalise preparations for July’s Paris 2024 Summer Olympics:

“With the Paris Olympics just over two months away, where we know we will be facing some of the top teams in the world, it is important to challenge ourselves against a side like Japan so we can be as prepared as possible for our games in late July. 

“The squad represents the blend we are looking to establish, with some exciting young talent who have potential to lift the Ferns for the next decade, alongside experienced players who know what it is like to perform at major tournaments such as the Olympic Games.

“It is particularly exciting to have Milly Clegg back in the side after injury and her move to America, now one of three NWSL players alongside Ali Riley and Utah Royals recruit Macey Fraser.

“In Christchurch we showed the attacking potential we have so I look forward to meeting up with the team in Spain to continue that momentum and build consistency.” 

Both games are available to watch live and free in Aotearoa New Zealand on FIFA+.


UPCOMING FIXTURES:

Japan vs New Zealand
International Friendly
Saturday 1 June NZT (Friday 31 May local)
KO 2am NZT (4pm local)
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain

Japan vs New Zealand
International Friendly
Tuesday 4 June NZT (Monday 3 June local) 
KO 2am NZT (4pm local)
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain

Canada vs New Zealand
Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024
Friday 26 July NZT (Thursday 25 July local)
KO 3am NZT (5pm local)
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France

New Zealand vs Colombia
Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024
Monday 29 July NZT (Sunday 28 July local)
KO 3am NZT (5pm local)
Stade de Lyon, Lyon, France

New Zealand vs France
Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024
Thursday 1 August NZT (Wednesday 31 July local)
KO 7am (9pm local)
Stade de Lyon, Lyon, France


Article added: Tuesday 21 May 2024