Former Australian age-group player Ally Green has switched her international allegiance and has been called in the 24-player Football Ferns squad for games against Norway and Wales this month.
Kate Taylor gets her first senior New Zealand call-up. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Green is included in her first Ford Football Ferns squad, after joining the team's April camp in Australia as a training player.
Born in Sydney and a former Australian age group player, she is eligible to represent New Zealand through her mother.
Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková said she was excited to welcome Green into the New Zealand side.
"This is another huge moment for her. She took the time to come to her decision to represent New Zealand, and we're so pleased that she's made this choice," Klimková said.
In other new faces Kate Taylor, who captained the Junior Football Ferns to victory over the Young Matildas (and scored the winner from the penalty spot) in Sunday's under-20s international friendly, and Wellington Phoenix teammate Mackenzie Barry are named in their first senior international squads.
"Kate is a player we've been watching since the A-League Women's season began,"Klimková said.
"For such a young player to be such a valuable member of her team is incredibly exciting. She has a lot of potential and we're delighted to see her in the senior Ferns environment.
"Mackenzie is another player we've watched closely, and it's been really pleasing to see her progression during the A-League season, in particular her improvement on the ball. Mackenzie, like Kate Taylor, could become a key player in the future."
Annalie Longo returns to the Football Ferns for the first time since last year's Olympic Games, and Klimková is pleased to be able to draw on the centurion's skills and experience.
"She's always impressive, and we know that the experience and quality she has is exactly what we need in midfield, both now and in the future - in particular her reading of the game and always being one step ahead."
The team will also be joined by Women's U-20s assistant coach Natalie Lawrence and Women's U-17s assistant coach Michael Mayne.
Klimková was looking forward to the opportunities and challenges FIFA ranked 11 Norway and 31 ranked Wales would offer the Ferns as the side continues to build towards kicking off the home 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"Taking on two very different sides in the same window give us the chance to test ourselves in the way we will be tested at the World Cup, with the short time in between games replicating what we will encounter in July 2023.
"Norway historically is a very strong team, and has world class players, and Wales are also a very tough side to beat, so this is another opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best in the world."
The game against Norway in Oslo is on 26 June at 3am NZT and the match against Wales is in Spain on 29 June at 5am NZT.
Football Ferns squad for June international window (player; club; caps/goals)
Lily Alfeld; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (0/0)
Elizabeth Anton; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (8/0)
Mackenzie Barry; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (0/0)*
Katie Bowen; North Carolina Courage, USA (82/3)
Claudia Bunge; Melbourne Victory FC, Australia (9/0)
Olivia Chance; Celtic FC, Scotland (30/1)
Daisy Cleverley; HB Køge, Denmark (21/2)
Victoria Esson; Unattached (6/0)
Ally Green; Vålerenga, Norway (0/0)*
Jacqui Hand; Åland United, Finland (6/1)
Betsy Hassett; Stjarnan, Iceland (130/14)
Grace Jale; Heidelberg United FC, Australia (6/2)
Annalie Longo; Christchurch United, NZ (124/15)
Meikayla Moore; Unattached (53/3)
Erin Nayler; Umeå IK, Sweden (77/0)
Gabi Rennie; Arizona State University, USA (12/2)
Ali Riley; Angel City FC, USA (145/1)
Emma Rolston; Avaldsnes IL, Norway (11/6)
Paige Satchell; Unattached (28/2)
Malia Steinmetz; Unattached (7/0)
Rebekah Stott; FC Bulleen Lions, Australia (85/4)
Kate Taylor; A-League Off Season Programme, NZ (0/0)*
Ashleigh Ward; Actonians LFC, England (2/0)
Hannah Wilkinson; Melbourne City FC, Australia (105/27)