The Young Football Ferns take on the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Tonga on April 12, 14 and 16 respectively and while New Zealand start as favourites to qualify for September’s finals in the Caribbean, Edmondson believes nothing should be taken for granted.
“We haven’t been looking past the qualifying tournament,” said Edmondson
“If and when we get through qualifying we can start to look towards Trinidad and Tobago but it would be dangerous to get ahead of ourselves.”
Edmondson points to women’s football powerhouse USA’s recent failure to qualify from the Concacaf region (Central and North America) as a stark reminder for top seeds anywhere around the world.
New Zealand teams at U-20 and senior team in recent years have been able to field several players with experience at multiple age-group World Cups, and while the Young Football Ferns will be able to field one player with World Cup experience – Katie Bowen was a member of the 2008 U-17 side –most of the class of 2010 will instead be the first international steps.
“Most of the squad have experience of playing in the National Women’s League or top winter leagues but here’s where we start to build that international experience and develop players to come through the system.”
“We’ve got players who will eligible for the next U-17 cycle in two years time and players who probably just missed out two years ago so there’s some talented girls in there.”
One eligible player who will be missing is 16 year old Football Ferns striker Rosie White, who scored hat tricks at both the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups in 2008 but will play only in the U-20 event this year in line with new FIFA rules.
“It’s right for Rosie to be with the U-20s but it gives an opportunity to another player, and I have no doubt that we’ll unearth some players who will go on to represent the U-20s and Football Ferns.”
For the full schedule and results table click here
New Zealand squad for OFC U-17 Women’s Championships
North Harbour Stadium, April 12-16
Goalkeepers
Chloe-May GEURTS (Hawera Soccer Club)
Jessica REDDAWAY (Metro FC)
Defenders
Sivitha BOYCE( Metro FC)
Kate CARLTON (Claudelands Rovers)
Rachel HEAD (Metro FC)
Min KHANTHEE (Metro FC)
Megan LEE (Metro FC)
Tessa MCPHERSON (Unattached)
Midfielders
Katie BOWEN (Glenfield Rovers)
Rebecca BURROWS (Metro FC)
Hannah CARLSEN (Metro FC)
Olivia CHANCE (Claudelands Rovers)
Kate LOYE ( Claudelands Rovers)
Evie MILLYNN (Eastern Suburbs)
Holly PATTERSON ( Claudelands Rovers)
Ashleigh WARD (Coastal Spirit FC)
Forwards
Brittany DUDLEY-SMITH (Eastern Suburbs AFC)
Grace PARKINSON ( Claudelands Rovers)
Stephanie SKILTON (Three Kings United)
Hannah WONG (Claudelands Rovers)
Coach: Dave EDMONDSON
OFC U-17 Women’s Championships Schedule
April 12
12pm: Papua New Guinea v Tonga
3pm: New Zealand v Solomon Islands
April 14
12pm: Solomon Islands v Tonga
3pm: New Zealand v Papua New Guinea
April 16
12pm: Solomon Islands v Papua New Guinea
3pm: New Zealand v Tonga
For the latest NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz
Story courtesy NZF Media