OFC U-19 Women’s Championship underway tomorrow

The OFC U-19 Women’s Championship starts at Auckland’s Ngahue Reserve from tomorrow, with the New Zealand team taking on Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Caledonia and Samoa in games this week.


The New Zealand team, featuring many current and recent secondary school players is:
1. Anna Leat (GK)
2. Saskia Vosper
3. Rebecca Lake
4. Elizabeth Anton
5. Sarah Morton
6. Grace Jale
7. Emma Main
8. Malia Steinmetz
9. Sam Tawharu
10. Hannah Blake
11. Jacqui Hand
12. Emma Clarke
13. Nadia Olla (GK)
14. Claudia Bunge
15. Michaela Foster
16. Nicole Mettam
17. Dayna Stevens
18. ‘Alosi Bloomfield
19. Deven Jackson
20. Serena Murrihy
 
The New Zealand squad has suffered a blow on the eve of the tournament with attacking midfielder Lily Bray being ruled out due to serious injury – the second such setback after Football Fern Paige Satchell also had to withdraw from the campaign several weeks ago.
 
“We’re gutted for Lily, says coach Gareth Turnbull, “she’s worked really hard over the last nine months after missing out on the squad for the U17 World Cup. We really feel for her after working so hard on her game.”

Bray has been replaced by defender Serena Murrihy as the finishing touches are put on New Zealand’s preparations for the opening game, a meeting with Papua New Guinea on Tuesday at 10am.
 
The Melanesians are expected to be the Kiwis’ toughest challengers on their path to the World Cup and Turnbull is pleased to be meeting them first up.
 
“I think it’s a great start to the tournament,” he says.
 
“Based on paper, past history and experiences, PNG will most likely cause us the most amount of problems. Having them first means we can start off with a really clear mind set and approach. Hopefully, we can perform really well and come away with the win – that will then set us up for the rest of the tournament.”
 
 OFC U-19 Women’s Championship
(Ngahue Reserve, Auckland)
 
vs Papua New Guinea
Tuesday 11 July, 10am
 
vs Fiji
Friday 14 July, 10am
 
vs New Caledonia
Monday 17 July, 12.30pm
 
vs Samoa
Friday 21 July, 10am
 
vs Tonga
Monday 24 July, 10am

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