The Football Ferns have injected a dose of freshness to their squad to take on South Korea later this month.
New coach Jitka Klimkova has made six changes to the squad that lost to heavyweights Canada in a pair of friendlies late last month.
Among the newcomers is former age-group representative Ashleigh Ward. Currently playing for Actonians LFC in England, Ward is the only uncapped player in the group.
The remainder of the new faces include midfielders Jana Radosavljevic and Malia Steinmetz, defender Claudia Bunge, and forwards Katie Rood and Paige Satchell.
Ex-England age-group player Grace Neville has also been named to the squad but is ineligible to play, as she's still in the process of completing her switch of allegiance.
“As we build towards 2023, it’s important that we keep looking at players who we think have the potential to add the depth and breadth of the squad," says Klimkova.
"Now is the time to invite players to come into camp and see how they fit into the Ferns environment, so I’m delighted to call up Ashleigh for her first Football Ferns camp, as well as giving Grace the opportunity to experience the Ferns environment."
The Football Ferns will play the South Koreans at Goyang on November 27, with a rematch at the same venue on November 30. The Kiwi women have only beaten South Korea once in their 11 past encounters.
Although they were soundly dispatched 5-1 in the first outing against the Canadians, Klimkova was heartened by her team's improvement in the 1-0 loss that followed, which she's eager to build on in Asia.
"We're really looking forward to continuing what we started in Canada," says Klimkova.
"Seeing the prorgess we made over just ten days, it’s really important that we carry on evolving our style of play and attacking mindset, and as a group building on made in Canada, both on and off the pitch.
"These games against Korea Republic will be a great test for the players, as Korea look to finalise their preparations before their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in February next year."
Emma Rolston, Abby Erceg and Rosie White are unavailable for selection in this window for personal reasons, while Hannah Wilkinson is unavailable, after picking up a minor injury in preseason.
Football Ferns: Vic Esson, Anna Leat, Erin Nayler, CJ Bott, Claudia Bunge, Meikayla Moore, Ali Riley, Ashleigh Ward, Hannah Blake, Katie Bowen, Olivia Chance, Daisy Cleverley, Betsy Hassett, Ria Percival, Jana Radosavljević, Malia Steinmetz, Ava Collins, Jacqui Hand, Maggie Jenkins, Gabi Rennie, Katie Rood, Paige Satchell, Grace Neville
