AUCKLAND – The Young Football Ferns’ preparation for the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup moves offshore with a three-match tour to Australia in April.

World Cup hosts New Zealand continue their build-up for the October 28 – November 16 tournament with two games against their Australian U-17 equivalents and a daunting final assignment against the Australian U-20 side.

New Zealand’s last hit out was also against their trans-Tasman counterparts who pipped them to third place at February’s four-team Future Stars tournament at North Harbour Stadium by beating them 1-0 on the final day.

“Australia are always going to be a challenge, it was a close game between us in early February and they are a top 10 side, so it will be tough. However, we’re making progress and we have the ability to go there and take the game to them,” head coach Paul Temple said.

Templehas rested a number of core players from that tournament – including senior international Annalie Longo – seeing next month’s tour an opportune time to take a look at fringe players.

 

Story and photograph courtesy NZF Media…

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