Soccer: Professional four beef up Football Ferns tilt at worlds spot

Hayley Moorwood. Photo / Getty Images

The Football Ferns have called on their four full-time professionals to help earn qualification for next year's Fifa Women's World Cup in Germany via the eight-nation OFC Women's Nations Cup tournament in Auckland beginning on September 29.

New Zealand skipper Hayley Moorwood (Chelsea, England), fullback Ali Riley (Gold Pride, United States), defender Rebecca Smith (Wolfsburg, Germany) and midfielder Kirsty Yallop (Kristianstads, Sweden) will all suit up for the 10-day tournament.

The Ferns start against Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Tahiti in group A at North Harbour Stadium's outer oval.

Missing from the squad are 19-year-old midfielders Hannah Wall and Annalie Longo, who are both due to go under the surgeon's knife, while Betsy Hassett has been given leave to complete academic obligations at the University of California, Berkeley where she is on full scholarship.

Veteran defender Maia Jackman, who made her debut 17 years ago as a fresh-faced 18-year-old striker, may yet get a chance to add to her 47 caps after being named for her fourth World Cup qualifying campaign.

Striker Sarah Gregorius, an unused substitute in last year's friendly against Japan in Saitama, is the only uncapped player in the squad of 19.

New Zealand start as clear favourites to claim Oceania's spot in next year's 16-nation Fifa Women's World Cup finals at the tournament after breezing through qualification for China 2007 with an aggregate score of 21-1 over their three games.

Papua New Guinea, who held New Zealand to 2-0 in a Olympic Games qualifier two years ago, shape as the Football Ferns main rival.

Others competing are Tonga, Solomon Islands and Fiji.

While a World Cup berth is the main prize, Ferns coach John Herdman said the tournament also offered his squad valuable time together.

"We've named four players from pro teams in Europe and the US and another two from the North American second tier compared to one professional four years ago, so things are changing," Herdman said.

"As the overseas opportunities increase for our players, chances to have our full squad together for five crucial games in two weeks are going to become rarer so it's a great chance to build cohesiveness."

CUP SCHEDULE

North Harbour Stadium, Outer Oval
September 29-October 8

* New Zealand v Vanuatu
September 29, 1pm

* New Zealand v Cook Islands
October 1, 3.30pm

* New Zealand v Tahiti
October 3, 1pm

* Semifinals
October 6

* Final
October 8

NZ SQUAD FOR OFC WOMEN'S NATIONS CUP

Goalkeepers: Jenny Bindon (Hibiscus Coast Men), Aroon Clansey (Three Kings United).

Defenders: Bridgette Armstrong (Glenfield Rovers), Abbey Erceg (Three Kings United), Anna Green (Three Kings United), Kristy Hill (Three Kings United), Maia Jackman (Fencibles United), Liz Milne (Glenfield Rovers), Ali Riley (FC Gold Pride, USA), Rebecca Smith (VfL Wolfsburg, GER).

Midfielders: Katie Hoyle (Lynn Avon United), Ria Percival (Ottawa Fury, CAN), Hayley Moorwood (captain/Chelsea FC, ENG), Kirsty Yallop (Kristianstads DFF, SWE).

Forwards: Sarah Gregorius (Three Kings United), Amber Hearn (Ottawa Fury, CAN), Emma Kete (Three Kings United), Rosie White (Three Kings United), Hannah Wilkinson (Glenfield Rovers).