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Kiwitea St to host International
Kiwitea Street will play host this Saturday to the second of three Under 20 internationals being played over five days between the Junior Football Ferns and their Australian counterparts.
Junior Football Ferns coach Aaron McFarland is no stranger to the venue for Saturday’s encounter having previously coached extensively at both Auckland City FC and Central United FC.
McFarland finalised his squad for the three-match series against Australia, looking ahead to the FIFA 2014 World Cup and beyond.
“There are a number of new faces as this is the first time this age group has got together since the last World Cup,” said McFarland.
“Whilst it is part of the build up toward qualifiers and we want to develop players who can win on the world stage at this level, we also have the long term in mind with regards to developing future football ferns. The more caps players can gain at all levels, the more likely they will help our flagship team win in the biggest tournaments.”
Coastal Spirits fine domestic season has been rewarded with five players making the squad. Lily Alfred, Lauren Dabner, Laura Merrin, Meikayla Moore, and Belinda van Noorden all feature in the final squad, having reached the ASB Women’s Knockout Cup Semi Finals and virtually wrapped up the Mainland Women’s Premier League with Coastal Spirit.
Forrest Hill Milford is also well represented with Hannah Carlsen, Daisy Cleverley, Megan Lee, and Tayla O’Brien making the squad of 20.
The squad will train in Auckland this week in preparation for the three games with McFarland looking to work on certain areas.
“The games are to establish our playing formation and playing behaviours with the new players. In particular we will work on our in possession play so that when they go back into their own environments they know exactly what to be working on as an individual that will make a difference when they rejoin the Junior Football Ferns,” said McFarland.
“We are looking for players to express their playing personalities on the international stage, players to show a commitment to the team and for players to gain meaningful international exposure.”
The three-match series against Australia will be a good test for the Junior Football Ferns as they look towards the OFC Women’s Championship in January 2014 that will determine who qualifies for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2014 Canada. The OFC Women’s Championship will be held between 15-24 January 2014.
The series kicks off on Thursday 25th July in a game behind closed doors, followed by further games on Saturday July 27th and Monday July 29th.
Junior Football Ferns | International Match Schedule
Junior Football Ferns v Australia
Thursday 25 July, 2013
Rangitoto College, Auckland
Kick Off: 3.00pm
Note: This is a closed door match only open to authorised media
Junior Football Ferns v Australia
Saturday 27 July, 2013
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Kick off: 2.30pm
Junior Football Ferns v Australia
Monday 29 July, 2013
Seddon Fields, Auckland
Kick off: 2.30pm
Junior Football Ferns squad
1 - Lily ALFELD; 2 - Corina BROWN; 3 - Catherine BOTT; 4 - Meikayla MOORE; 5 - Emily JENSEN; 6 - Megan LEE; 7 - Laura MERIN; 8 - Holly PATTERSON; 9 - Daisy CLEVERLEY; 10 - Hannah CARLSEN; 11 - Katie BOWEN; 12 - Chloe KNOTT; 13 - Lauren DABNER; 14 - Hannah HOEKSEMA; 15 - Jasmine PEREIRA; 16 - Martine PUKETAPU; 17 - Emma ROLSTON; 18 - Belinda VAN NOORDEN; 19 - Briar PALMER; 20 - Tayla O’BRIEN
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