A 24-player squad has been named for the Ford Football Ferns’ June international window, and sees some new faces welcomed to the senior squad – plus the return of a legend.

Ally Green is included in her first Ford Football Ferns squad, after joining the team’s April camp in Australia as a training player. Born in Sydney and a former Australian age group player, she is eligible to represent Aotearoa New Zealand through her kiwi mother, and completed her international allegiance switch following the April camp.

“We’re really excited that Ally is now eligible to play for the Ferns, and could be looking at her first cap for New Zealand,” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.

“This is another huge moment for her. She took the time to come to her decision to represent New Zealand, and we’re so pleased that she’s made this choice.”

In other new faces Kate Taylor, who captained the Junior Football Ferns to victory over the Young Matildas (and scored the winner from the penalty spot) in Sunday’s under-20s international friendly, and Wellington Phoenix teammate Mackenzie Barry are named in their first senior international squads.

“Kate is a player we’ve been watching since the A-League Women’s season began,” says Klimková. “For such a young player to be such a valuable member of her team is incredibly exciting. She has a lot of potential and we’re delighted to see her in the senior Ferns environment.

“Mackenzie is another player we’ve watched closely, and it’s been really pleasing to see her progression during the A-League season, in particular her improvement on the ball. Mackenzie, like Kate Taylor, could become a key player in the future.”

Annalie Longo returns to the Ford Football Ferns for the first time since last year’s Olympic Games, and Klimková is pleased to be able to draw on the centurion’s skills and experience.

“This is a great time to welcome Annalie back to the team,” she says.

“She’s always impressive, and we know that the experience and quality she has is exactly what we need in midfield, both now and in the future – in particular her reading of the game and always being one step ahead.”  

The team will also be joined by Women’s U-20s assistant coach Natalie Lawrence and Women’s U-17s assistant coach Michael Mayne.

Klimková is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges FIFA ranked 11 Norway and 31 ranked Wales, offer the Ferns this month as the side continues to build towards kicking off the home 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on 20 July next year.

“Taking on two very different sides in the same window give us the chance to test ourselves in the way we will be tested at the World Cup, with the short time in between games replicating what we will encounter in July 2023

Norway historically is a very strong team, and has world class players, and Wales are also a very tough side to beat, so this is another opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best in the world.”

Ford Football Ferns squad for June International Window (player; club; caps/goals)

Lily Alfeld; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (0/0)

Elizabeth Anton; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (8/0)

Mackenzie Barry; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (0/0)*

Katie Bowen; North Carolina Courage, USA (82/3)

Claudia Bunge; Melbourne Victory FC, Australia (9/0)

Olivia Chance; Celtic FC, Scotland (30/1)

Daisy Cleverley; HB Køge, Denmark (21/2)

Victoria Esson; Unattached (6/0)

Ally Green; Vålerenga, Norway (0/0)*

Jacqui Hand; Åland United, Finland (6/1)

Betsy Hassett; Stjarnan, Iceland (130/14)

Grace Jale; Heidelberg United FC, Australia (6/2)

Annalie Longo; Christchurch United, NZ (124/15)

Meikayla Moore; Unattached (53/3)

Erin Nayler; Umeå IK, Sweden (77/0)

Gabi Rennie; Arizona State University, USA (12/2)

Ali Riley; Angel City FC, USA (145/1)

Emma Rolston; Avaldsnes IL, Norway (11/6)

Paige Satchell; Unattached (28/2)

Malia Steinmetz; Unattached (7/0)

Rebekah Stott; FC Bulleen Lions, Australia (85/4)

Kate Taylor; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (0/0)*

Ashleigh Ward; Actonians LFC, England (2/0)

Hannah Wilkinson; Melbourne City FC, Australia (105/27)

* First Ford Football Ferns call up

Match schedule for June FIFA international window

VS Norway

5pm 25 June local time / 3am 26 June NZT

Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway

VS Wales

7pm 28 June local time / 5am 29 June NZT

Pinatar Arena, Pinatar, Spain

Article added: Thursday 16 June 2022