Four Wellington Phoenix players have been named in Jitka Klimková’s first Football Ferns squad since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Defenders Michaela Foster and Kate Taylor, midfielder Grace Wisnewski and goalkeeper Brianna Edwards have been selected in New Zealand’s 24-strong touring party for their upcoming matches against Chile in Santiago.
The Ferns will play La Roja femenina on Saturday, September 23 (Sunday, September 24 NZT) before the teams meet again for a behind closed doors fixture on Tuesday, September 26 (Wednesday, September 27 NZT).
Foster was a member of New Zealand’s World Cup squad, while Taylor and Wisnewski were two of the Football Ferns’ three training partners for the tournament.
Edwards narrowly missed out on a place in the final 23 after taking part in the Ferns’ gruelling nine-week training camp in the lead-up to the World Cup.
“The most important thing for the team now is continuing the momentum from the FIFA Women’s World Cup and building on the progress we made as we look forward to Olympic qualifiers next year,” Klimková said.
“These games will give us a great opportunity to test ourselves against a South American opposition, one of the confederations we haven’t faced that much so far.
“It is great to welcome back five players who weren’t part of the squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We have strong competition for places across the pitch which is what we want heading into the next cycle.”
Michaela Foster, Kate Taylor, Grace Wisnewski and Brianna Edwards will rejoin the Wellington Phoenix two and a half weeks out from the women’s Liberty A-League season opener against Melbourne City at Sky Stadium on Sunday, October 15.
Tickets for the match go on sale next week, but women’s season memberships are available now.
