The Football Ferns have locked in two high-profile European opponents for the June FIFA international window, as they take on Norway and Wales in a pair of international friendlies.
The Ferns will play Norway in Oslo on June 25, before heading to Pinatar, Spain, to take on Wales three days later.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
“These games present a great opportunity to continue to learn about our player pool, build a stronger culture within the squad, and play games in Europe where many of our players are based and won’t have to endure long-haul travel,” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.
“We realized in Australia that if we stay connected on and off the field we can compete against any opponent in the world.
“As we continue our preparations for the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we’re delighted to have these high-calibre opposition confirmed.”
“Both Norway and Wales are on a good run of form, and are at important parts of their own preparations for the Euros and of course and World Cup qualification, so will be very competitive opponents.”
Norway will see this game as an important part of their build up to July’s UEFA Women’s Euros, where they are drawn in Group A alongside hosts England, Austria and Northern Ireland.
Recently buoyed by the return of inaugural Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Ada Hegerberg, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 quarter-finalists finished third at the Algarve Cup in February.
The Football Ferns last played Norway at the 2020 Algarve Cup in the third-place playoff where they were defeated 2-1, Hannah Wilkinson netting for the Ferns.
They’ve played Norway eight times since first meeting in 1981, and have a 2-2-4 Win-Draw-Loss record.
This will be just their third encounter with Wales, having won the first game between the two sides back in 2011 2-0, before losing the last encounter 1-0 in 2019.
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