Five Phoenix stars called up for Football Ferns

9/2/23

Above: New Zealand players huddle before a match. Their latest squad has been revealed. Photo: stuff.co.nz.

Five Wellington Phoenix players have been called into the Football Ferns for their upcoming home internationals against Portugal and Argentina.

Veteran midfielder Betsy Hassett, first-choice forward Paige Satchell, and young defender Mackenzie Barry have kept their places in the Ferns squad after featuring against the USA last month.

Barry’s centre back partner Kate Taylor has also been recalled, after missing last month’s internationals with a foot injury, while 20-year-old midfielder Grace Wisnewski has been named as a training player.

The quintet will go into camp in Hamilton upon the team’s return home from Sunday’s round 14 Liberty A-League match against Western Sydney Wanderers.

The Ferns’ first match against 22nd-ranked Portugal is next Friday night (February 17th) at Waikato Stadium. They will meet 29th-ranked Argentina at the same venue the following Monday (February 20th), before playing the South Americans again at North Harbour Stadium on Thursday night (February 23rd).

Hassett, Satchell, Barry, Taylor, and Wisnewski will rejoin the Phoenix ahead of the team’s round 15 match against Sydney FC at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday, February 26th. 

Among the other A-League Women players called up by the Football Ferns are Perth Glory’s Liz Anton, Katie Bowen of Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory’s Claudia Bunge, Indiah-Paige Riley of Brisbane Roar, Malia Steinmetz from Western Sydney Wanderers, and Melbourne City striker Hannah Wilkinson.

Full New Zealand squad for matches against Portugal and Argentina:

Liz Anton, Mackenzie Barry, CJ Bott, Katie Bowen, Claudia Bunge, Olivia Chance, Daisy Cleverley, Ava Collins, Victoria Esson, Betsy Hassett, Grace Jale, Anna Leat, Meikayla Moore, Erin Naylor, Grace Neville, Gabi Rennie, Ali Riley, Indiah-Paige Riley, Paige Satchell, Malia Steinmetz, Rebekah Stott, Kate Taylor, Hannah Wilkinson.