The New Zealand women's national team arrived at Narita Airport in the late afternoon on 19 May for the MS&AD NADESHIKO CUP 2015, which will be held on Sunday 24 May at Kagawa Pref. Marugame Stadium in Kagawa. There was a relaxing and bright atmosphere around and the players did not show their tiredness from the long flight. They will move to Kagawa on 20 May to hold their first practice session.

Head Coach and Players’ Comments

Tony Readings, Head Coach
It’s my fifth visit to Japan. Japan is a wonderful country and I always look forward to coming back. People here are all kind and friendly. My team is always welcomed with warm hospitality.

I’d like the players to play against Japan as though the match were in the World Cup. I hope they will improve their individual strengths while playing in the New Zealand style. Japan stays strong in any circumstances in games. The team has skilful players in all positions and the players move systematically with an excellent head coach and experienced players. Japanese technical skill is at a world-class level, which makes Nadeshiko Japan a very aggressive team.

MF #14   Katie Bowen
I’ve been to Japan several times before and I really liked it. Japanese people are very friendly. We can always play in an excellent environment and atmosphere. The coming match against Japan is obviously vital before the World Cup. As I’d like to get myself ready to play as soon as I arrive in Canada, I’d like to show off my game against Japan beforehand. Having a good result before the championship gives us some confidence. I’d like to show people our real strength, focusing on playing our style.

Japan is one of the strongest team in the world and they always show impressive and high-quality football. They are brilliant at passing skills. We have to be careful with their swift transition. Nadesihko Japan is a very united and down-to-earth team ? I guess that’s why they always stay in the world’s top five. I’m sure the coming game will be a great preparation for New Zealand before the World Cup.

GK #1   Erin Nayler
It’s my fourth visit to Japan and I always look forward to the next visit. Japan is a beautiful country and the people are very friendly. It’s great that everyone supports women’s football in Japan. In the game against Japan, I’d like to show New Zealand playing style and show off everything we’ve got on the pitch. I’d like to play with the confidence that we can beat any team from the world. It’s our vital step to get ourselves ready before the World Cup.

I can tell from my previous experience that Japan play very systematically with excellent skills. They prefer a compact and sharp football style, as well as using speed. We’ve been waiting for this challenge. We must react and defend any sort of attacks. It’s a great opportunity to see Japan’s improvement since the last time we played.

MF #19   Evie Millynn
It’s my sixth visit to Japan. I always enjoy myself a lot. Japanese people are very polite and gentle. The country is beautiful with great scenery and the food is fantastic. So I do have a very good impression about Japan.

I think the physical aspect will be one of the key factors in the match against Japan. As both New Zealand and Japan prefer a playing style that centres on keeping possession; it’s vital to take the initiative by sustaining possession to press the opponent. At the same time, we cannot lose good positions or miss any goal-scoring opportunities.

I have played against Japan in the U-17 and U-20 national team. Japan’s playing style is the same in any generation ? they are swift and well organised with high skills.

New Zealand Women's National Team

Head Coach

Tony Readings

Squad

GK
21   Rebecca Rolls (Three Kings United FC/NZL)
23   Cushla Lichtwark (Upper Hutt City FC/NZL)
1     Erin Nayler (Norwest United FC/NZL)

DF
7     Ali Riley (FC Rosengard/SWE)*
5     Abby Erceg (Chicago Red Stars/USA)
2     Ria Percival (FF USV Jena/GER)
3     Anna Green (Unattached)
6     Rebekah Stott (Claudelands Rovers/NZL)
18   CJ Bott (Forrest Hill Milford United AFC/NZL)
15   Meikayla Moore (Eastern Suburbs FC/NZL)

MF
11   Kirsty Yallop (Vittsjo GIK/SWE)*
4     Katie Duncan (FC Zurich/SUI)
12   Betsy Hassett (Unattached)
16   Annalie Longo (Coastal Spirit FC/NZL)
14   Katie Bowen (University of North Carolina/USA)
19   Evie Millynn (Eastern Suburbs FC/NZL)
20   Daisy Cleverley (Forrest Hill Milford United AFC/NZL)

FW
9     Amber Hearn (FF USV Jena/GER)
10   Sarah Gregorius (AS Elfen Saitama/Japan)
22   Emma Kete (Fencibles United FC/NZL)
17   Hannah Wilkinson (University of Tennessee/USA)
13   Rosie White (Unattached)
8     Jasmine Pereira (Three Kings United FC/NZL)

Note: An asterisk indicates the players who will ariive in Japan on Sat. 23 May

Schedule

Note: The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, etc. 

MS&AD NADESHIKO CUP 2015

Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) vs. New Zealand Women's National Team
5-24 Sun. - 19:10
Kagawa / Kagawa Pref. Marugame Stadium
Ticket Information (Japanese version only)

In additions to public transportaion, it is planned to offer bus service to the stadium from train stations nearby and parking lots.
Access to the stadium (Japanese version only)