New Zealand join the hosts, Korea DPR and Mexico at the tournament which could see New Zealand-based CJ Bott (Capital Football/Waterside Karori AFC) and Evie Millynn (San Diego State University) earn their first Football Ferns caps.
The pair will get their chance with several players unavailable for selection due to injury including Ali Riley and Anna Green as well as longer term absentees Bridgette Armstrong, Sarah McLaughlin and Liz Mile. Stephanie Skilton and Holly Patterson were ruled out with US college commitments.
In the first outing for the team since last October’s 1-1 draw with world number one the United States, Readings says the injection of youth has dual benefits for the team and the players.
“While we’ve got a plan for the period through to 2016 and the Olympics in Rio, we’ve got an eye on 2020 as well and our role is to develop the team and players for success for the next two to three years but also beyond that,” Readings said.
“Evie and CJ get a chance to gain experience and stake a claim for a place in the Ferns group while also helping each of them in terms of their involvement in the U-20 programme.”
Four members of the squad for the tournament come from the current Junior Football Ferns squad with Bott and Millynn joined by one-cap Football Ferns Meikayla Moore and Megan Lee.
With the Football Ferns now ranked at 16th in the world, the highest ever placing for the side, Readings says next week’s tournament allows the group to continue to refine their playing philosophy with the intent of regularly knocking over the top-ranked nations at the landmark tournaments on the horizon.
“At this event we’re meeting three top quality teams in a format which replicates a World Cup or an Olympic Games with three games with short turnaround times.”
“All three teams use a different style of defending which is good for us. We need to be constantly evolving the way we play so we develop the weapons to hurt different sides.”
With Riley’s injury coming just prior to the squad travelling to China, a further player may be added to the squad before the tournament kicks off.
The first match of the tournament for the Football Ferns is on Tuesday 11 February, 7pm (NZ time).
Football Ferns squad – Invitational Tournament
February 11-15, 2014
(Caps/Goals/Club)
Goalkeepers
Erin Nayler (8/0, Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ)
Rebecca Rolls (17/0, Three Kings Utd, NZ)
Defenders
Catherine Bott (0/0, Waterside Karori AFC, NZ)
Abby Erceg (capt – 89/4, USV Jena, GER)
Megan Lee (1/0, Louisiana State University, USA)
Meikayla Moore (1/0, Coastal Spirit FC, NZ)
Ria Percival (85/8, USV Jena, GER)
Rebekah Stott (15/0, SC Sand, GER)
Midfielders
Betsy Hassett (55/6, Manchester City, ENG)
Katie Hoyle (79/1, Melbourne Victory, AUS)
Annalie Longo (55/1, Three Kings Utd, NZ)
Evie Millynn (0/0, San Diego State University, USA)
Kirsty Yallop (71/11, Vittsjo, SWE)
Forwards
Helen Collins (10/0, Claudelands Rovers, NZ)
Sarah Gregorius (45/17, Unattached)
Amber Hearn (76/35, USV Jena, GER)
Rosie White (50/10, University of California, USA)
Hannah Wilkinson (48/17, University of Tennessee, USA)
Management staff
Coach: Tony Readings
Assistant Coach: Aaron McFarland
Goalkeeper Coach: Daniel Robinson
Manager: Claire Hamilton
Sports Scientist: Harriet Steele
Technical Analyst: Gary Connell
Physio: Jess Meyer
Doctor: Chris Hanna
Nutritionist: Kath Fouhy
Schedule
All matches Yongchuan District, Chongqing city, China.
NZ v China
Tuesday 11 February, 2pm (NZ time Tues 11 Feb, 7pm)
NZ v Korea DPR
Thursday 13 February, 5pm (NZ time Thurs 13 Feb, 10pm)
NZ v Mexico
Saturday 15 February, 5pm (NZ time Sat 15 Feb, 10pm)