Bott and Stott back for Football Ferns

CJ Bott returns from injury.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Experienced Football Ferns Rebekah Stott and CJ Bott have been recalled for the international friendlies against Portugal and Argentina this month.

Stott and Bott are set to play their first games in New Zealand since 2018 after missing recent home fixtures with injury.

The Football Ferns will play the world number 22 Portugal on 17 February at Waikato Stadium and world number 29 Argentina on 20 February at Waikato Stadium and again three days later at North Harbour Stadium.

The tour could also see captain Ali Riley earn her 150th cap for the Football Ferns, only the second player to do so after Ria Percival.

All three games are being played alongside the FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament, a competition which will decide the final three qualifiers and act as a test event for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková sees the three games as a good test for the team building into the Women’s World Cup.

“These games are as close to a FIFA Women’s World Cup group play environment as we are going to get before the tournament and we will be using it as a simulation to trial everything before July.

“Last month against the USA we were able to play in the world cup stadiums and test some members of our wider squad.

“For these matches we are eager to take the next step in building on our preparations leading into the tournament, continuing to focus on our performance goals on the pitch to compete for positive results.”

The full 23-person squad is:

Elizabeth Anton (16/0) Perth Glory, Australia

Mackenzie Barry (5/0) Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

CJ Bott (36/2) Leicester City, England

Katie Bowen (87/3) Melbourne City FC, Australia

Claudia Bunge (16/0) Melbourne Victory FC, Australia

Olivia Chance (40/2) Celtic FC, Scotland

Daisy Cleverley (27/2) HB Køge, Denmark

Ava Collins (9/0) St John’s University, USA

Victoria Esson (12/0) Rangers FC, Scotland

Betsy Hassett (138/13) Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

Grace Jale (12/2) Canberra United, Australia

Anna Leat (9/0) Aston Villa FC, England

Meikayla Moore (60/4) Glasgow City FC, Scotland

Erin Nayler (81/0) IFK Norrköping, Sweden

Grace Neville (1/0) London City Lionesses, England

Gabi Rennie (20/2) Arizona State University, USA

Ali Riley (149/2) Angel City FC, USA

Indiah-Paige Riley (6/0) Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Paige Satchell (37/2) Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

Malia Steinmetz (13/0) Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia

Rebekah Stott (87/4) Brighton & Hove Albion, England

Kate Taylor (6/0) Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ

Hannah Wilkinson (108/27) Melbourne City FC, Australia

Wellington Phoenix’s Grace Wisnewski will also join the tour to train with the squad.