Football Ferns in Chinese Taipei: Squad Yarns & Preview
You’d be forgiven for having missed this one but the Football Ferns are off to Taiwan for a couple of games in early April. The first of those games is behind closed doors. The coaching staff is still on an interim basis for this one last tour. The squad is very similar to last time, with a stated desire once again to expand the depth in the wider player pool. Plus they announced the squad on a Friday afternoon and almost all the media coverage was rewrites of the press release.
That means is there’s still been no closure on the absences of Katie Bowen, CJ Bott, and Rebekah Stott. Is it purely a matter of letting them chill at their clubs during this depth-focused spell or is there something else involved? We don’t know because Michael Mayne didn’t seem to be able to answer that question directly last time and nobody’s even asking him this time. But, following the expanding depth logic, if they weren’t needed for the Costa Rica series then they aren’t needed for the Chinese Taipei one, where one of the games isn’t even going to be broadcast. Rightio then.
That behind closed doors thing is kinda weird. Mayne referred to it as a “training game” in the press release, though the Ferns have played similar fixtures in recent years and those were classed as proper internationals with the caps and goals counting. We’ll see how it goes with this one. The Ferns even had a tour in 2022 where back-to-back games against Mexico and Philippines were behind closed doors... although in that instance it may have had something to do with playing them in the USA where it was simpler not to bother opening things up to crowds that may not have shown up anyway. The Philippines game was at least live streamed. The Ferns won both of those matches. Prior to the World Cup, we also had a narrow defeat to Italy behind closed doors at Keith Hay Park in Auckland (NZ’s training base for the tournament). And the second games of their Chile and Colombia tours in 2023 were also BCD. New Zealand lost both times.
Honestly, it seems like a disservice to fans for internationals games to be hidden away like that – outside of the shadow of major tournaments, at least. Katie Bowen’s 100th cap was in the BCD match against Colombia. Fortunately that one was streamed so her people could still watch it, even if they couldn’t be there. Both the Chile and Colombia instances were at the behest of the hosts. Wouldn’t be surprised if Chinese Taipei have begged for the same thing since they’re preparing for Asia Cup qualifiers later this year (the draw will be made at the end of March) and clearly have things to work on following a five-game losing streak in which they’ve only scored once and conceded 24 times. CT’s recent results going back to last December: 1-3 vs Australia (A), 0-6 vs Australia (A), 0-4 vs Mexico (N), 0-4 vs China (N), 0-7 vs Canada (N). The latter three games were in Spain at the Pinatar Cup.
So it’s probably not New Zealand Football’s fault that they’re doing this, other than having agreed to the terms. But it still seems dumb that full international fixtures can be made inaccessible. Either make it an actual non-competitive, non-capped, glorified training session or bring the cameras in, ya know? The only time the All Whites have played BCD recently was against Oman immediately before their intercontinental playoff versus Costa Rica... hence we might also be dealing with some inequality for the Ferns to have now had six of them in the time since that All Whites vs Oman match.
Getting back to the point about players being rotated, there are five of them from the Costa Rica group who won’t be going to Chinese Taipei. Mackenzie Barry is injured and Grace Jale has only just returned to fitness and they’re not risking her (even though she might have made three appearances for the Nix before she’d need to travel so that doesn’t entirely check out). The two back-up goalkeepers, neither of whom got minutes last time, have also been flipped around. Brianna Edwards got dropped again by Sydney FC while Geo Candy, who is second choice for Melbourne Victory but hasn’t actually debuted for them yet (having been an unused sub on 30 occasions), felt like a selection stretch at the time.
And then there’s Macey Fraser, who hasn’t been picked for the same reasons that Finn Surman wasn’t in the last All Whites squad. Both of them joined American clubs last year but neither got many minutes. Fraser was injured, Surman was serving an apprenticeship. Both began the 2025 season as week one starters but precariously enough that their national teams, probably wisely, decided that it was best not to disrupt that balance until they’d had a chance to more properly embed themselves. For Surman it made total sense since the All Whites have other great central defenders to take his place. He wasn’t a guaranteed starter anyway, not with Tyler Bindon and Michael Boxall and Nando Pijnaker around. For Macey Fraser there must have been a little more hesitation because, well, nobody else does what she does.
It was blatantly obvious against Costa Rica... the difference between the Ferns with Fraser on the pitch and without her was stark. The way that Fraser is able to link midfield to attack, the options that she has on the ball as someone with a long shot, incisive passing, and the ability to dribble (not to mention how well she wins the ball back on the press)... those things aren’t easily emulated. Keep that in mind if/when the Ferns – who have scored in six of their last seven games – struggle to convert possession into chances against this Taiwanese side that’s been leaking goals all over the place in recent months. The best possible Football Ferns line-up includes Katie Bowen, CJ Bott, Rebekah Stott, and Macey Fraser. Probably also Malia Steinmetz (injured, ACL) and possibly Anna Leat (injured/unavailable). None of them are going to be there. Expectations should be adjusted in accordance.
This is also exactly why they need to expand their squad depth though. In past eras, there’s been too much focus on the first eleven which, even though they were clearly the best players, led to a lack of competition for places. There are way more kiwi professionals these days so the excuses for that behaviour are dwindling. For example, Macey Fraser only played about eight minutes at the Olympics due to injury. If there’s an over-reliance on what she brings to the table then that needs to be addressed... and two players stand to benefit from Fraser’s absence most of all: Maya Hahn and Katie Kitching. Hahn scored that wonderful winning goal in last match against CRC. She’s got a similar skill set to Fraser, having partnered her in midfield at the U17 World Cup back in the day, and has now had multiple seasons in the German Bundesliga. Kitching is playing second tier in England with Sunderland but is in the midst of the best season of her career and has already brought the goods for the national team on several occasions. This is a huge opportunity for each of them to make a statement.
The idea of this being a rotated squad focussed on depth and development does need a bit of interrogation. Other than those three veteran defenders and the fringe goalkeepers, there’s not actually a lot of voluntary rotation going on. Most of the freed-up spots are because of injuries and retirements. Here’s a look at all the footballers who’ve been capped since the last World Cup but aren’t in this squad (caps in brackets)...
Injured: Ali Riley (163), Malia Steinmetz (35), Grace Jale (35), Anna Leat (22), Mackenzie Barry (20)
Retired/Without A Professional Club: Hannah Wilkinson (125), Paige Satchell (49), Daisy Cleverley (39)
Other: Betsy Hassett (157), Katie Bowen (113), Rebekah Stott (106), CJ Bott (50), Gabi Rennie (40), Ally Green (17), Ava Collins (16), Macey Fraser (8), Brianna Edwards (1)
Satchell hasn’t retired but she is without a pro team, having turned out for Auckland United in the National League a few times late last year. Seems to be focussing more on her non-football career which is fair enough (dunno if you’ve heard, but women’s football doesn’t always pay particularly well). Other than that, we’ve got Betsy Hassett who has only just returned to the field for Stjarnan in Iceland after having a kid. Liv Chance is also about to make her return in motherhood with Kolbotn in Norway. Too soon for them to be in contention. Gabi Rennie’s been dropped. Ally Green’s been dropped. Ava Collins hasn’t played in over a year and hasn’t been in a major tournament squad. Bri Edwards has been dropped. Only Rennie’s absence is even remotely controversial beyond those big three defenders. Otherwise, this is all just natural evolution. Some players dip out, others step in. Sweet as. That’s how it goes.
Because if we were really going hard on rotation then perhaps Alyssa Whinham should have gotten a look with Macey Fraser not involved. Una Foyle is a kiwi goalkeeper doing good things in Ireland who’d have a right to feel peeved at seeing a converted dual-national picked ahead of her. Deven Jackson’s injury absence came at a terrible time but she’s back for Newcastle Jets now and has already added to her goal tally. She’s got as much cause to be here as Kelli Brown, who has earned her promotion off the back of similar A-League production. Emma Main, Lara Wall, and Daisy Brazendale are among other Phoenix players in contention, albeit they’re a little further behind in the national team queue. As are youngsters like Olivia Page, Kiara Bercelli, Suya Haering, and Lara Colpi who’ve caught the attention with their exploits in Europe. But Maggie Jenkins surely deserves a chance at some stage having been scoring and assisting goals in Turkey’s top division this season.
There has been some rotation over these last two windows. Debuts for Kelli Brown, Maya Hahn, Manaia Elliott, and Emma Pijnenburg on the previous tour were lovely examples of that. But there was plenty of room for more if they wanted to travel even further down that path... speaking once again to how many more professional players there are from Aotearoa nowadays. A coach can only pick 23-or-so players in any given squad and we’ve got way more than that in contention. Youngsters don’t need to be rushed in at the first sign of promise. Form can be a telling factor in selections, not just situation or reputation. It’s fun to be able to yap about who should/shouldn’t have been picked because you know what? It wasn’t that long ago that we couldn’t.
GOALKEEPERS
Vic Esson – Rangers, SCO (26 caps/0 goals)
Claudia Jenkins – Adelaide United, AUS (0/0)
Alina Santos – University of Denver, USA (0/0)
Vic Esson needs no introduction, especially not after how brilliant she was against Costa Rica. She’s got the Scottish League Cup final with Rangers against Hibernians on the weekend so fingers-crossed she gets that start (recently selections suggest she will). Hey but who the heck are Claudia Jenkins and Alina Santos!?
Claudia Jenkins is Adelaide United’s number one goalie, having started every game this season for one of the better defences going around. That in itself is crazy because ADL were wooden spooners last season - Hannah Blake was in that squad prior to moving to England. Jenkins signed her first ALW contract as an 18-year-old (with Adelaide) but only debuted at age 26 in round two of the 2023-24 campaign. Admittedly, she did spend a good chunk of that time away at university in the USA... but there’s no doubt it took a lot of patience and perseverance to get to where she is now. Despite being born and raised in Australia, she has some unspecified kiwi heritage and it just so happens that NZ Football have been actively seeking out players in situations like hers.
Claudia Jenkins: “It’s an incredible honour to be called up to the New Zealand squad for the first time. It means so much to me and my family. The Jenkins name has always been proud of its Kiwi roots, so this is a really special moment for us all.”
No paperwork was required for Alina Santos who was born on the Kapiti Coast, went to Paraparaumu College, spent time in the Ole Academy, and is currently studying at the University of Denver. Santos got close to making the 2022 U20 World Cup squad but ultimately missed out with Bri Edwards, Murphy Sheaff, and Rylee Godbold selected as the keepers instead of her.
It’s highly unlikely that she gets to play, being the third-choice keeper on a two (arguably one) match tour. But safe to say this selection was a bolt from the blue. Like most kiwis who go to American colleges, she hasn’t even played that much there and she wasn’t one of the three best U20s keepers three years ago. She never got an U17 World Cup opportunity due to covid. Santos has done some excellent work around the domestic scene but it’s hard to think exactly how she managed to catch the attention at this level. Perhaps this was a dose of Jenny Bindon scouting genius? Bindon does have a lot of contacts in the USA college system.
Sheaff, who is also at college in the States, was third-choice at the Paris Olympics while Aimee Danieli was an injury replacement for a squad this time last year. Blair Currie and Madeleine Iro have done some semi-pro stuff in the USA over the last couple years. Brooke Neary is on the rise at the Wellington Phoenix. Una Foyle is going gangbusters for Cork City in Ireland. There are plenty of candidates out there... although if we’re being honest very few of them have international calibre resumes just yet. We’re mostly talking about amateurs and academy players. Bri Edwards had the chance to lock onto that vacant third-choice but she skipped a few tours for personal reasons then failed to thrive for a struggling Sydney FC team (getting dropped by Sydney was harsh, getting dropped by NZ not so much). Before her Lily Alfeld got close then fell away due to persistent injuries that seem to have halted her playing career altogether. Erin Nayler had a great international career but that ship has sailed. Aaaaaand that’s how someone like Alina Santos suddenly gets a chance... although it’s Claudia Jenkins who has the most to gain. She’s the only one out there thriving for a professional club, the frontrunner to bridge that gap between Esson/Leat and everyone else.
DEFENDERS
Liz Anton – Canberra United, AUS (22/0)
Claudia Bunge – Melbourne Victory, AUS (33/0)
Manaia Elliott – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (1/0)
Meikayla Moore – Calgary Wild, CAN (69/4)
Grace Neville – London City Lionesses, ENG (11/0)
Indiah-Paige Riley – Crystal Palace, ENG (29/7)
Kate Taylor – Dijon FCO, FRA (23/2)
Got to play it fast and loose with the defender categorisations nowadays, after Coach Mayne implemented a wing-back system last tour that all indications suggest they’ll be sticking with. As they ought to... not only did it show signs of encouragement against Costa Rica but it also suits the players that we’ve got available. Lots of good centre-backs. Wide players who work hard and tackle well. Strikers that work better with a bit of help around them. Midfielders who suit having a third creative comrade alongside. Formations matter a lot less than the players within them and as long as everybody’s on the same page then any old shape can be successful. But the 3-5-2 thing does make a lot of sense.
With that in mind, there are two types of defenders: centre-backs and wing-backs. In this squad we’ve got Claudia Bunge, Kate Taylor, and Liz Anton (from right to left) as the likely starting CBs with Meikayla Moore as backup off the bench. That’s how things went last tour, anyway. No new options are being tried in those spots... with Katie Bowen and Rebekah Stott presumably to come back at some stage it’s probably not necessary. Mackenzie Barry would have been here if not for injury and perhaps by the end of the year her Wellington Phoenix teammates Rebecca Lake and Marisa van der Meer might be fit enough to join the party too. Not to mention whoever Auckland FC scoops up. Overseas, we’re probably looking at Olivia Page (Sheffield United) and Jana Niedermayr (Union Kleinmünchen) as the next ones up... 20 and 22 years old respectively.
Bunge and Anton continue to perform for their A-League clubs and have been among the better central defenders in the competition this season, with Anton’s move to Canberra clearly working for her. Same deal with Bunge returning to Melbourne after cutting short her time in Denmark due to (an unfair) lack of playing time. Meikayla Moore hasn’t played more than those last two Ferns substitute appearances for eight months so that one’s a bit odd while Bowen and Stott are being rested/rotated/whatever. But Kate Taylor’s settling into French football really nicely, starting most games for a Dijon side that’s performing well above expectations. No more midfield stuff for her, however that midfield experience will serve her well as the central centre-back in charge of a lot of the build-up.
With the wing-backs, Indiah-Paige Riley was already shaping as one of the more important Ferns players heading into this next cycle thanks to her form with PSV and subsequent move to Crystal Palace. Now that’s coincided with her being transformed into a wing-back for both club and country. In fairness, Fortuna Hjørring tried her in that position quite a bit in her last season there but now there’s more purpose behind the plan. While IPR will be expected to track back and defend, she’s also a crucial attacking outlet for the Ferns as the only wide player on her side of the pitch... and she can play on either side as we saw with one start on the right and one start on the left against Costa Rica (RWB is preferable but it’s also where CJ Bott and Grace Neville are best so LWB might be what she needs to focus on).
IPR did miss Crystal Palace’s win over Aston Villa last weekend with injury so hopefully there’s nothing going on there because we need wing-backs with attacking qualities for this formation to work. That’s also why Manaia Elliott’s been listed as a defender. She can play as a winger, she can play as a fullback... this is basically a mix of both. Don’t be surprised if Emma Pijnenburg gets time on the right edge, as she often does for Feyenoord, but do be surprised if Mickey Foster is used out wide. Foz isn’t fast enough for this role and she’s been used far more as a defensive midfielder for Durham... and also for the Ferns against Costa Rica. That’s her new spot. Hannah Blake did start a game at LWB last window but got hooked at half-time. She’s far more effective as an attacking midfielder or striker. Jana Radosavljević could do a job at WB though.
Outside of this squad, Lara Wall springs to mind as an alternative while Ally Green could easily win her way back into the crew once her Canadian season gets underway. Zoe McMeeken’s got a few steps to go but there’s definite Ferns potential there. Ali Riley hasn’t given up hope of returning to the game if she can shake her lingering injury issues, if she can’t then Suya Haering shapes to be the next reincarnation of her and has recently begun getting Bundesliga starts for Turbine Potsdam alongside Maya Hahn. It’s best not to chuck players straight into the national team set-up as soon as they appear on the scene though. Even someone as seemingly fresh as Emma Pijnenburg actually moved over to Holland at the start of 2023, giving her two full years in a really good professional environment before making her debut. Kinda think Gabi Rennie could do a decent job as a RWB too, that could even be how she works her way back into future selections.
MIDFIELDERS
Michaela Foster – Durham, ENG (24/1)
Maya Hahn – Turbine Potsdam, GER (2/1)
Katie Kitching – Sunderland, ENG (16/5)
Annalie Longo – Wellington Phoenix, NZ/AUS (138/15)
Emma Pijnenburg – Feyenoord, NED (1/0)
Grace Wisnewski – Lexington SC, USA (3/0)
Hey look it’s Grace Wisnewski. Back in the Ferns for the first time since the tour to Chile in September 2023, before she tore he ACL for the Wellington Phoenix. Wiz might have returned to the national team fold sooner had she been getting more minutes for her American club but as it is the lack of defensive-minded midfielders means that she’s too good to be watching from a distance. Mickey Foster was the six in both games against Costa Rica with Annalie Longo alongside her as the eight. Malia Steinmetz is the incumbent defensive mid but she’s out indefinitely after tearing her own ACL tear. Out goes one ACL injury, in comes a recovered one.
Wisnewski can play all over the midfield and is arguably most useful when given more of an attacking edge... but she’s got the workrate and tackling to balance out Longo’s possession excellence – Longo having been the Wellington Phoenix’s player of the season to date. Three goals and five assists. She’s created the most chances across the entire ALW this season and it’s not even closed (Longo has 48, Emily Condon is second with 35). Longo’s spoken recently about not wanting to clog up a spot in the team with so many good youngsters pushing through but for now she’s still setting the pace, playing as well as she has for a long time (if not ever), and it’s up to the likes of Wisnewski, Hahn, Kitching, Pijnenburg, et cetera, to catch her up and overtake her.
Already mentioned how Hahn and Kitching are in for a big tour as they try to fill Macey Fraser’s shoes. Kitch actually started one of the CRC games up front because, right now, she’s simply got to be in there somewhere. Good thing about her is she can play eight or ten or as one of the nines so it’s not too hard to find a place for her. Kitching has genuine Longo vibes. They’re about the same size but that’s only part of it, they also have that same gliding, creative, energetic quality. Kitching isn’t as good of a dribbler but she adds set piece excellence into the pot. Maya Hahn often plays on the wing for Turbine Potsdam, however she’s an attack-minded midfielder (eight or ten) by preference so no stress there.
Decent midfield stocks. We could also potentially see Hannah Blake or Jana Rado at the top of the triangle. Beyond this squad, both Betsy Hassett and Olivia Chance are in the early stages of working their way back after maternity leave. Along with Fraser and Steinmetz, the Welly Nix have Daisy Brazendale on the rise and Alyssa Whinham can’t be far off, just gotta tally up a few more goals and assists to get over the line. Amelia Abbott already has one international cap. Expect Chloe Knott to join the conversation if she signs with Auckland FC. Lara Colpi’s worth a mention too playing some top division stuff in Switzerland. Like it is with the backup goalies, it’s all about who can sustain the best, most productive levels for long enough to rise above the crowd.
FORWARDS
Hannah Blake – Durham, ENG (7/0)
Kelli Brown – Perth Glory, AUS (2/0)
Milly Clegg – Halifax Tides, CAN (13/1)
Jacqui Hand – Sheffield United, ENG (33/8)
Ruby Nathan – Canberra United, AUS (5/1)
Jana Radosavljević – CS Marítimo, POR (3/0)
Michael Mayne’s had eight games as interim coach and every single time he’s picked two-striker formations. Players to have started in those spots: Jacqui Hand (6), Milly Clegg (5), Grace Jale (2), Indi Riley (1), Kelli Brown (1), Katie Kitching (1). Right now Hand and Clegg would appear to be the top choice duo, having started together four times (including last match against Costa Rica)... but don’t sleep on Kelli Brown who is playing fantastically for Perth Glory and brings something extra with her insane work ethic. Grace Jale would have a shout too if she can get that consistency going for the Nix. Also Milly Clegg’s hardly played over the last 15 months, with her Canadian season yet to begin, so that’s another factor.
As is Jacqui Hand’s club career which hasn’t quite taken off since she left a very successful stint in Finland. Across 21 English second tier games with Lewes and Sheffield United she’s only scored two goals (with three assists). Probably because she’s only been involved in three wins, with Lewes getting relegated and Sheffield United on track to do the same. Hand’s been a first eleven player for both clubs but hasn’t been able to change their fates... albeit there’s still time to change the narrative with the Blades. Hand’s been really good for the Ferns so there’s no thought of her dipping out of the top-23. However, there has definitely been a plateau which puts her starting spot in some jeopardy.
Jana Radosavljević last played for the Ferns in 2020. She was called up for the visit of USA in 2023 but she never got on the pitch. The Serbian-Kiwi had long since felt like the forgotten woman when it came to the Ferns but here she is back in business amidst a very good season with CS Marítimo in Portugal. She and Hannah Blake both have utility potential in this squad so it’s hard to predict where/if they’ll see time. Cool to see someone like Rado, who has sustained a very useful club career across a multiple countries and on both sides of a serious knee injury, being brought back into the mix. Now that forgotten woman tag can be passed along to Maggie Jenkins with her four goals and two assists for ALG Spor in Turkey this season. The only other NZ forwards with comparable or better goal contribution numbers this season are Kitching and Longo and they’re not only both in this squad... they’re key players. Maybe next time for Jenks.
Emma Main’s another one who keeps getting overlooked. Perhaps a lack of x-factor there, dunno. Deven Jackson’s close to completing a second really tidy A-League season, though she’ll have noticed that Hannah Blake did the same then had to move to England to finally get called up again. Poor old Gabi Rennie kept getting picked for the national team before she was ready. Now she’s polished off an outstanding first year as a pro in Finland, made an upwards move to a Swedish club... and found herself dropped at the point where she’s most deserving of being there. Meanwhile Ruby Nathan has immense potential as a tall, skilled striker... but she’s yet to score an A-League goal in 1192 minutes (albeit with four assists) which does make it tricky to explain her presence after she didn’t even get on the field last time. That’s another one where the expanding depth idea doesn’t fully fit. Don’t go turning on Ruby Nathan though, she’s a brilliant talent. Hopefully she gets to play this time.
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