KEY POINTS:
There is a 20-year-age gap between the oldest and youngest players in the New Zealand women's soccer squad named today for next month's Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in Papua New Guinea.
Coach John Herdman's squad includes 35-year-old Wellington striker Wendi Henderson, who earned her 50th cap last
year against China.
The squad also features 15-year-old Annalie Longo, who became the youngest female player to represent New Zealand when she made her debut against China last November.
Nine of Herdman's under-20 squad, who performed creditably at the under-20 World Cup in Russia last year, have been included.
The more experienced members of the squad include Wendi Henderson, Rachel Howard, Rebecca Smith and Maia Jackman.
New Zealand face Tonga, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea in the tournament from April 9-14.
The winner will represent Oceania at the women's World Cup in China from September 10-30.
Herdman said he was under no illusions about how important the tournament was for the game in this country.
"The immediate future of New Zealand women's football rests on it. It is a massive responsibility for the players and a massive opportunity," he said.
Herdman, who was appointed to the head coach role earlier this month, after the resignation of Allan Jones, said it hadn't been easy to step into the role at such short notice.
"It has been difficult to select a squad in such a short timeframe. It is such a vital tournament for us and I've picked a squad that I think will be able to produce the goods for us in Papua New Guinea."
Herdman made it clear there would be opportunities for other players to force their way into the squad after the World Cup qualifiers.
New Zealand squad:
Goalkeepers: Rachel Howard (TSV Crailsheim), Stephanie Puckrin (Lynn Avon)
Defenders: Rebecca Smith (Sunnana SK/Sweden), Abby Erceg (Western Springs), Maia Jackman (Western Springs), Hannah Bromley (Tennessee Tech/US), Ali Riley (Stanford University/US), Ria Percival (Lynn Avon), Anna Green (Three Kings), Simone Carmichael (Ajax of Southern California)
Midfielders: Kirsty Yallop (Lynn Avon), Marlies Oostdam (Eastern Suburbs), Hayley Moorwood (Lynn Avon), Katie Hoyle (Lynn Avon), Annalie Longo (Three Kings), Emily McColl (Coastal Carolina University/USA)
Forwards: Wendi Henderson (Upper Hutt), Emma Humphries (Coastal Carolina University/USA), Zoe Thompson (Three Kings), Emma Kete (Three Kings)
Standby players: Rebecca Simpson (Glenfield AFC), Michelle Clarke (Seatoun FC), Ella Wiebe (Central Soccer), Priscilla Duncan (Western Springs), Nicky Smith (Upper Hutt), Renee Leota (Miramar Rangers), Jenny Bindon (Three Kings), Rebecca Sowden (Three Kings)
- NZPA
