Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková has named her squad for the upcoming international friendly matches in Santiago against Chile. 

The games will now take place a day later than originally announced after Football Federation of Chile decided to move both fixtures back by 24 hours. 

The first fixture will now be played at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida on Saturday 23 September, kicking off at 7pm [local] / Sunday 24 September at 11am [NZT]. 

The second fixture, which will be played behind closed doors and will not be broadcast at Chile’s request, will be played at Quilín Complex on Tuesday 26 September, kicking off at 11am [local] / Wednesday 27 September at 3am [NZT].

Klimková’s 24-player squad features three members who missed out on selection for the FIFA Women’s World Cup: Wellington Phoenix’s Brianna Edwards, AGF’s Ally Green and London City Lionesses’ Grace Neville.

Wellington Phoenix duo Kate Taylor and Grace Wisnewski are also both recalled as full squad members after being team training partners for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The full squad is:

CJ Bott (41 caps/3 goals) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (97/3) Inter Milan, Italy
Claudia Bunge (24/0) HB Køge, Denmark
Olivia Chance (47/2) Unattached
Milly Clegg (4/0) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia
Brianna Edwards (0/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Victoria Esson (19/0) Rangers FC, Scotland
Michaela Foster (6/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ally Green (4/0) AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand (17/2) Åland United, Finland
Betsy Hassett (148/13) Stjarnan, Iceland
Grace Jale (19/2) Perth Glory, Australia
Anna Leat (10/0) Aston Villa, England
Annalie Longo (131/15) Unattached
Grace Neville (4/0) London City Lionesses, England
Gabi Rennie (28/2) Arizona State University, USA
Ali Riley (157/2) Angel City, USA
Indiah-Paige Riley (12/0) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Paige Satchell (44/2) London City Lionesses, England
Malia Steinmetz (23/0) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (93/4) Melbourne City, Australia
Kate Taylor (8/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Hannah Wilkinson (118/30) Melbourne City, Australia
Grace Wisnewski (2/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand

“The most important thing for the team now is continuing the momentum from the FIFA Women’s World Cup and building on the progress we made as we look forward to Olympic qualifiers next year” says head coach Jitka Klimková. 

“These games will give us a great opportunity to test ourselves against a South American opposition, one of the confederations we haven’t faced that much so far. 

“It is great to welcome back five players who weren’t part of the squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We have strong competition for places across the pitch which is what we want heading into the next cycle.”

Article added: Monday 11 September 2023