19 Mar 2015

Football Ferns named to tackle USA

4:58 pm on 19 March 2015

Football Ferns coach Tony Readings has named his 20-player squad on Thursday for April's clash with world No.2 the United States in St Louis.

Goalkeeper Rebecca Rolls comes back into the side after missing the last two tours, while fullback Anna Green and midfielder Hayley Bowden also return from respective injury layoffs.

Football Fern Rebecca Rolls trains in goals

Football Fern Rebecca Rolls trains in goals Photo: Photosport

Former Central Pulse netball captain Cushla Lichtwark drops out, and Readings says it's another opportunity to look at Rolls - who also played cricket for New Zealand - which is really good, as they're taking three goalkeepers to the World Cup in Canada in June, and it's important to see where they are at so close to the tournament.

Readings says the April 5th encounter in St Louis provides the chance for his group to continue fine-tuning their approach for a tournament they've been building towards for the best part of two years.

"We have our playing model set and the players have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the team. It's now just making sure we're making the right decisions at the right time on the pitch because we know when we get the World Cup we're not going to have things our own way."

Readings says the latest test of their abilities in that area will be well-examined by their world number two-ranked opponents as the New Zealand side juggle immediate performance objectives against having a World Cup dry run.

New Zealand: (caps/goals/club)

Goalkeepers

Erin Nayler (26/0 - Norwest Utd, NZL)

Rebecca Rolls (21/0 - Three Kings Utd, NZL)

Defenders

Abby Erceg (111/5 - Chicago Red Stars, USA)

Anna Green (56/7 - unattached)

Meikayla Moore (10/0 - Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZL)

Ria Percival (101/11 - USV Jena, GER)

Ali Riley (91/1 - FC Rosengard, SWE)

Rebekah Stott (37/2 - unattached)

Midfielders

Hayley Bowden (92/10 - Fencibles Utd AFC, NZL)

Katie Bowen (24/0 - University of North Carolina, USA)

Daisy Cleverley (3/2 - Forrest Hill Milford Utd AFC, NZL)

Katie Duncan (100/1 - FC Zurich, SWI)

Betsy Hassett (77/8 - Fencibles Utd AFC, NZL)

Annalie Longo (76/6 - Coastal Spirit FC, NZL)

Kirsty Yallop (88/12 - Vittsjo GIK, SWE)

Forwards

Sarah Gregorius (64/21 - AS Elfen Saitama, JPN)

Amber Hearn (97/45 - USV Jena, GER)

Jasmine Pereira (6/0 - Three Kings Utd, NZL)

Rosie White (67/14 - Fencibles Utd AFC, NZL)

Hannah Wilkinson (67/22 - University of Tennessee, USA)

United States vs New Zealand, Sunday 5th April 7.30am NZ time at Busch Stadium, St Louis