Cook Islands head coach Gary Phillips has selected his 21-player squad for the 2022 OFC Women’s Nations Cup.
Representatives from clubs across the Cook Islands make up the bulk of those selected, but Phillips has also called upon the high pool of talent available to him in New Zealand to flesh out the squad.
Prospective players trialled for a place in the team at the CIFA training grounds in early June and those lucky enough to be selected will fly out to Fiji from New Zealand on July 7.
“We are happy we had the opportunity to assess the NZ-based players,” said Phillips regarding the recent trial period.
“But of course, one week is never enough. We are making progress but it is difficult with 10 players based in New Zealand. It has been a challenge monitoring the players’ individual development, but we are pleased with the attitude and commitment.”
The Cook Islands have been drawn in Group A for the upcoming competition, alongside Tonga and Samoa.
Their first fixture will be against Tonga on Sunday, July 16 before facing Samoa three days later on Tuesday, July 19.
The top two teams from each of the three groups in Fiji will advance to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best-performing third-placed teams. The final takes place on Sunday, July 30 from the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The full Cook Islands squad for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup is below:
Goalkeepers: Thea KEITH (Lakes FC), Kimberly UINI (Matavera Ngatangiia FC)
Defenders: Tia STRICKLAND (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Tineke DE JONG (Manukau United FC), Teretia TEINAKI (Puaikura FC), Anzia TERE (Avatiu FC), Claudean ROBATI (Tupapa Maraerenga FC).
Midfielders: Ngamata MOEKAA (Manukau United FC), Kayleena KERMODE (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Tayla HETHERINGTON (Manukau United FC), Lyric DAVISON (Manukau United FC), Simone NICHOLAS (Puaikura FC), Elizabeth HARMON (Ellerslie FC), Tanga MORRIS (Matavera Ngatangiia FC), Piri TANGATA MURARE (Avatiu FC).
Forwards: Penina KATUKE (Titikaveka FC), Matilda AUUA (Puaikura FC), Kura MOSE (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Victoria FATIAKI (Manukau United FC), Adriana HAUSER (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Tupou BROGAN (Tupapa Maraerenga FC).
Head coach: Gary PHILLIPS