Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková has named three debutants in her 24-player squad to take on FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finalists Colombia next month in Bogotá.
Wellington Phoenix midfielder Macey Fraser, Sunderland midfielder Katie Kitching and Canberra United forward Ruby Nathan are the three new faces in the squad.
Both 21-year-old Fraser and 18-year-old Nathan were part of the New Zealand side at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in August 2022 and both made their A-League Women debuts this season.
Kitching, 25, has enjoyed a strong start to the English Women's Championship season, with two goals and two assists, and has played in every game so far for 2nd in the table Sunderland AFC.
Klimková has also named five players who return to the side after not being part of the September 2023 fixtures: Wellington Phoenix’s Mackenzie Barry, Adelaide United’s Hannah Blake, HB Koge’s Daisy Cleverley, St John’s University’s Ava Collins and Glasgow City’s Meikayla Moore.
Forward Hannah Wilkinson is unavailable as she is serving a two-game suspension following her red card against Chile in September.
“After a historic and special 2023 our focus now switches to the next cycle and putting the team in the best possible position to qualify for the Olympics” Klimková said.
“It is exciting to bring in three new players, as well as welcome back a number of Ferns, all of whom have earned their place in the squad based on their strong performances for their clubs.
“The games against Colombia will be a good test for us. I want our players to be exposed to the challenge of playing a South American style of play, which will help us grow as a team."
Football Ferns squad:
Mackenzie Barry (7 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand; Hannah Blake (6 caps) Adelaide United, Australia; Katie Bowen (98 caps) Inter Milan, Italy; Daisy Cleverley (31 caps) HB Køge, Denmark; Ava Collins (11 caps) St John’s University, USA; Brianna Edwards (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand; Victoria Esson (20 caps) Rangers, Scotland; Michaela Foster (8 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand; Macey Fraser* (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand; Ally Green (5 caps) AGF, Denmark; Jacqui Hand (17 caps) Åland United, Finland; Betsy Hassett (150 caps) Stjarnan FC, Iceland; Grace Jale (21 caps) Perth Glory, Australia; Katie Kitching* (0 caps) Sunderland AFC, England; Anna Leat (11 caps) Aston Villa, England; Meikayla Moore (63 caps) Glasgow City, Scotland; Ruby Nathan* (0 caps) Canberra United, Australia; Grace Neville (6 caps) London City Lionesses, England; Ali Riley (159 caps) Angel City, USA; Indiah-Paige Riley (14 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands; Paige Satchell (46 caps) London City Lionesses, England; Malia Steinmetz (25 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark; Rebekah Stott (95 caps) Melbourne City, Australia; Kate Taylor (10 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand.
*Debut Football Ferns call-up.
The Football Ferns will face Colombia on Sunday, December 3 at 10am NZT and Wednesday, December 6 at 9am NZT.
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