New Zealand coach Dave Edmondson believes his 21-strong squad named today has the right mix of players to cause some surprises at the under-17 women's soccer World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago next month.
New Zealand plays Venezuela, Spain and Japan in group C of the 16-nation tournament from September 5-25, and Edmondson said his squad had the attributes to be competitive.
"There's a nice blend of players," he said.
"There's some real attacking players, really creative players with great vision and some talented defenders with pace, strength and aggression."
Metro FC in Auckland and Hamilton's Claudelands Rovers are the most heavily represented clubs with six players apiece, while Lynn Avon United, Three Kings and Eastern Suburbs each supply two players and Glenfield, Hawera and Coastal Spirit one each.
Captain Katie Bowen, a member of the 2008 under-17 squad, is the only member to have played at a Fifa event before. Edmondson has also selected two 15-year-olds in defender Megan Lee and goalkeeper Lily Alfeld and 14-year-old midfielder Hannah Carlson.
"It's the first step on the international stage for the majority of players but a big chunk of the squad have played premier league football in the winter or even National Women's League, so while they are young, there's a fair bit of experience, as well.
"As for the young girls, they are all there on merit. They'll have an impact on this campaign and with either the under-17s again or under-20s next time around."
New Zealand squad:-
Goalkeepers: Chloe-May Geurts (Hawera), Jessica Reddaway (Metro), Lily Alfeld (Coastal Spirit).
Defenders: Katie Bowen (captain, Glenfield Rovers), Sivitha Boyce (Metro), Kate Carlton (Claudelands Rovers), Rachel Head (Metro), Megan Lee (Lynn Avon United), Tessa McPherson (Lynn Avon United), Michelle Windsor (Metro).
Midfielders: Rebecca Burrows (Metro), Hannah Carlsen (Metro), Olivia Chance (Claudelands Rovers), Kate Loye (Claudelands Rovers), Evie Millynn (Eastern Suburbs), Holly Patterson (Claudelands Rovers), Jessica Mathews (Three Kings United).
Forwards: Brittany Dudley-Smith (Eastern Suburbs), Grace Parkinson (Claudelands Rovers), Stephanie Skilton (Three Kings United), Hannah Wong (Claudelands Rovers).
