New Zealand skipper Hayley Moorwood (Chelsea, England), fullback Ali Riley (Gold Pride, USA), defender Rebecca Smith (Wolfsburg, Germany) and midfielder Kirsty Yallop (Kristianstads, Sweden) will all suit up for the 10 day tournament that initially pits the Football Ferns against Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Tahiti in group A at North Harbour Stadium’s outer oval.
Missing from the squad are 19-year-old midfielders Hannah Wall and Annalie Longo who are both due to go under the surgeon’s knife while Betsy Hassett has been given leave to complete academic obligations at the University of California, Berkeley where she is on full scholarship.
Veteran defender Maia Jackman, who made her debut 17 years ago as a fresh faced 18-year-old striker may yet get a chance to add to her 47 caps after being named for her fourth World Cup qualifying campaign.
Striker Sarah Gregorius, who was an unused substitute in last year’s friendly against Japan in Saitama, is the only uncapped player in the 19 strong squad.
New Zealand start as clear favourites to claim Oceania’s spot in next year’s 16 nation FIFA Women’s World Cup finals the tournament, that also features Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Fiji, after breezing through qualification for China 2007 with an aggregate score of 21-1 over their three games.
Papua New Guinea, who held New Zealand to 2-0 in a Olympic Games qualifier two years ago shape as the Football Ferns main rivals.
While a World Cup berth remained the main prize, New Zealand coach John Herdman said the tournament would also provide his squad valuable time together.
“We’ve named four players from pro teams in Europe and the US and another two from the North American second tier compared to one professional four years ago so things are changing,” Herdman said.
“As the overseas opportunities increase for our players, chances to have our full squad together for five crucial games in two weeks are going to become rarer so it’s a great chance to build cohesiveness and one we certainly won’t waste.”
“We have another big tournament, the Peace Queen Cup, coming up in October so that momentum will be vitally important.”
New Zealand squad for OFC Women’s Nations Cup
(Club – caps/goals in brackets)
Goalkeepers
Jenny BINDON (Hibiscus Coast Men – 43/0)
Aroon CLANSEY (Three Kings United – 1/0)
Defenders
Bridgette ARMSTRONG (Glenfield Rovers – 2/0)
Abbey ERCEG (Fencibles – 43/2)
Anna GREEN (Three Kings United – 23/2)
Kristy HILL (Three Kings United – 10/0)
Maia JACKMAN (Fencibles United – 47/11)
Liz MILNE (Glenfield Rovers – 3/0)
Ali RILEY (FC Gold Pride, USA – 34/0)
Rebecca SMITH (VfL Wolfsburg, GER – 41/2)
Midfielders
Katie HOYLE (Glenfield Rovers – 31/0)
Ria PERCIVAL (Ottawa Fury, CAN – 39/3)
Hayley MOORWOOD (Captain / Chelsea FC, ENG – 51/3)
Kirsty YALLOP (Kristianstads DFF, SWE – 36/9)
Forwards
Sarah GREGORIUS (Three Kings United – 0/0)
Amber HEARN (Ottawa Fury, CAN – 29/9)
Emma KETE (Three Kings United – 29/3)
Rosie WHITE (Three Kings United – 13/0)
Hannah WILKINSON (Glenfield Rovers – 6/0)
Management
Head coach: John HERDMAN
Assistant coach: Tony READINGS
GK coach: Simon EADDY
Manager: Julie HOGG
Sport Scientist: Brad CONZA
Physiotherapist: Jennifer SAYER
Technical Analyst: Andy PEAT
Story courtesy of NZF Media.
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