Football Ferns Head Coach Tom Sermanni has named a strong squad for the inaugural Cup of Nations in Australia next month.

Sermanni’s first squad for 2019 as the team prepares for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France in June includes former captain Abby Erceg, former vice-captain Katie Duncan and a return to international football for forwards Emma Kete, Aimee Phillips and midfielder Daisy Cleverley.

The World No 19 Ferns will take on fellow FIFA Women’s World Cup contestants Australia, Argentina and the Korea Republic across three cities in their countdown to the World Cup.

“We are really pleased with the experience and quality we have named in this squad,” said Sermanni.

“We know that it is going to be a tough challenge against three world-class sides, but this will be an ideal test for us as we continue our build-up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

Kete, who was part of the NZA Training Camp in Auckland recently, returns from an international hiatus. She was last in the Football Ferns squad in 2015 when they played at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. The 31-year-old forward has played 48 A internationals and scored three goals.

Erceg (132 A Internationals) and Duncan’s (119 A Internationals) return adds huge experience to a squad that now boasts six players with more than 100 caps – the others being Ria Percival (135), Ali Riley (119), Annalie Longo (110) and Betsy Hassett (107).

Experienced forwards Amber Hearn and Hannah Wilkinson were not considered due to injury.

The opening game for the Football Ferns against Australia at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney on Thursday 28 February will be a milestone match. It will be the 50^th time that New Zealand have faced their Trans-Tasman rivals in A Internationals.

The Ferns will then travel north to play World No 36 Argentina on Sunday 3 March at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The OFC Nations Cup champions play the World No 14 Korea Republic on Wednesday 6 March at AAMI Park in Melbourne. The Korean encounter will be the Ferns’ 250^th A International.

Football Ferns squad for Cup of Nations (Club, Country, Caps and Goals)

CJ Bott (Vittsjo GIK, SWE) 12, 0
Katie Bowen (Utah Royals, USA) 56, 3
Daisy Cleverley (University of California, USA) 6, 2
Katie Duncan (Onehunga Sports) 119, 1
Abby Erceg (North Carolina Courage, USA) 132, 6
Victoria Esson (Avaldsnes, NOR) 3, 0
Anna Green (Unattached) 71, 7
Sarah Gregorius (Upper Hutt City) 88, 33
Betsy Hassett (KR Reykjavik, ISL) 107, 13
Emma Kete (Unattached) 48, 3
Anna Leat (East Coast Bays) 3, 0
Annalie Longo (Cashmere Technical) 110, 15
Meikayla Moore (MSV Duisburg, GER) 31, 3
Sarah Morton (Western Springs) 5, 1
Erin Nayler (Bordeaux, FRA) 57, 0
Ria Percival (West Ham United, ENG) 135, 14
Aimee Phillips (Northern Tigers FC, AUS) 6, 1
Ali Riley (Chelsea, ENG) 119, 1
Katie Rood (Bristol City (on loan at Lewes), ENG) 8, 4
Paige Satchell (Three Kings United) 7, 1
Stephanie Skilton (Papakura City) 8, 0 
Rebekah Stott (Melbourne City, AUS) 67, 4
Rosie White (Chicago Red Stars, USA) 95, 23

Match Schedule

Matchday One
Date: Thursday, 28 February
Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah (Sydney), New South Wales
Match One: Argentina v Korea Republic – 4.35pm kick-off (AEDT) (6.35pm NZT)
Match Two: Australia v New Zealand – 7.30pm kick-off (AEDT) (9.30pm NZT)

Matchday Two
Date: Sunday, 3 March
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland
Match One: Argentina v New Zealand – 3.05pm kick-off (AEST) (6.05pm NZT); 4.05pm (AEDT)
Match Two: Australia v Korea Republic – 6.00pm kick-off (AEST) (9.00pm NZT); 7.00pm (AEDT)

Matchday Three
Date: Wednesday, 6 March
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne, Victoria
Match One: Korea Republic v New Zealand – 3.05pm kick-off (AEDT) (5.05pm NZT)
Match Two:  Australia v Argentina – 6.00pm kick-off (AEDT) (8.00pm NZT)

Article added: Tuesday 29 January 2019