Three standout Wellington Phoenix players have been named in the Football Ferns squad for their upcoming internationals against Venezuela.
Decorated midfielder Annalie Longo, young winger Manaia Elliott and experienced forward Grace Jale have been called up to the Ferns for their two matches in southern Spain.
Longo is coming off an incredible season for the Nix, having led the Ninja A-League in chances created.
She was recognised by being presented the Lloyd Morrison Spirit of the Phoenix award as well as being named the women’s player of the year by the club, her teammates, members and media at the Phoenix awards night last week.
Longo captained New Zealand in their most recent internationals against Costa Rica in February and has now been capped 138 times at senior level.
Elliott, who captained New Zealand at both U-17 and U-20 level, was awarded the Phoenix members’ under-23 player of the year last week after an impressive second season in which she scored four goals.
She made her Football Ferns debut in the first of two internationals against Costa Rica in February.
Jale (34 caps) sat out the matches in San José because of injury and wasn’t considered for the ultimately abandoned tour of Taiwan in April.
She made 21 appearances for the Nix in her return season and found the back of the net twice.
New Zealand’s first match against Venezuela will be played at the Marbella Football Center in San Pedro de Alcántara on Saturday, May 31 (Sunday, June 1 NZT), with the second match at a yet to be announced venue also in southern Spain on Tuesday, June 3 (Wednesday, June 4 NZT).
