Meet New Zealanders who make history at Fifa Women's Under-17 World Cup

The New Zealand women's football team under 17 marked the history of the FIFA World Cup in Uruguay, before qualifying for the semi-finals. She will face the champion of Europe, champion of Europe on Thursday. [NZ time].

Coach Leon Birnie has already used 19 of his team's 21 members, opting for the same starting lineup, those with numbers 1 to 11, in three of the four matches: the group stage wins. Finland (1-0) and Uruguay (2-1) and Japan's triumph in the quarter-finals (4-3 in penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw).

This is the first New Zealand team to take the first qualifying stage of a FIFA tournament. So, on the eve of their historic clash with Spain, here is a glimpse of their country of origin.

# 1 – ANNA LEAT

The star of the team, at least for the moment, after his exploits at the end of the quarter-final against Japan, saving and scoring in penalties. Long regarded as a high-potential goaltender, she made her debut in Football Ferns when she was 15 at the beginning of last year. Originally from Arrowtown, she now lives in Auckland where she is part of the Future Ferns National Program and plays for a men's team from East Coast Bays. She had previously competed in a U-17 and U-20 World Cup prior to this one and is eligible for another Under-20 event in 2020. One of the five players in have played all four matches so far.

# 2 – MACKENZIE BARRY

A defender from New Plymouth, she started three of the team's four games in the back. Play for the New Plymouth Girls' High School in the Central League and for Central in the National Women's League. Started playing football in her youth, her friend's father coaching a team. One of the many players on the team who also plays futsal (indoor football).

# 3 – HANNAH MACKAY-WRIGHT

A central back from Nelson, who moved to Auckland two years ago to continue his development, first with Glenfield Rovers, winner of the Women's National Playoff Cup in 2017, then this year with Forrest Hill Milford, which has four players in this team. . Rebound after scoring a goal early in the quarter-finals to have a solid game and will have a lot to do in the semifinal against Spain. Member of the Future Ferns National Program this year.

# 4 – ANEKA MITTENDORFF

One of the most promising defenders of the team, a central defender who seems destined for greater honors, having already played in the U-20 World Cup in France in August. She is part of the Forrest Hill Milford quartet and has a great pitch and is a great one-on-one defenseman. She was very used at this tournament. Member of the National Future Ferns Program this year and regular Northern Lights in the National Women's League. One of five players to appear in the four games until now.

# 5 – MARISA VAN DER MEER

The team's first-choice left-back van der Meer plays for FC Twenty 11 in Christchurch, a club named for the year of its founding. She has also been a regular starter for Canterbury United Pride in the National Women's League this season. Van der Meer, Leat and midfielder Amelia Abbott are the top three World Cup players who did not participate in the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year . One of five players to appear in the four games until now.

# 6 – MACEY FRASER

A midfielder from Waimakariri United in North Canterbury and the youngest member of the team, who is only 17 years old in July. A talented futsal player, she is very comfortable on the ball and has been a regular at Canterbury United Pride in recent seasons in the National Women's League. Member of the Future Ferns National Program this year.

# 7 – GABI RENNIE

Another from Waimakariri United, who plays on the right. She went to the U-20 World Cup in France in August, where she made an appearance off the bench. Played for Canterbury United Pride in the National Women's League in the past three seasons, scoring five goals in his current campaign. Member of the Future Ferns National Program this year.

# 8 – AMELIA ABBOTT

A Nelson midfielder who went under the radar until she was spotted by her coach Leon Birnie last year at the national high school championships, after New Zealand got her qualify for the World Cup by winning the title Oceania U16. Birnie said Things he knew that he needed her in his team and she played more minutes than anyone, with the exception of Leat, scoring a well-worked quarter-final corner against Japan. One of five players to appear in the four games until now.

# 9 – MAGGIE JENKINS

An attacker from Wellington, based in Auckland, after her family moved her at the beginning of the year, to join the Future Ferns national program, exchanging Wellington United against Glenfield Rovers. She made her debut in Football Ferns last November against Thailand and played in all three U-20 games at the World Cup in France in August. Hit the wood three times at this World Cup, but have not yet found the back of the net.

# 10 – GRACE Wisnewski

An attacker who plays for Hamilton Wanderers and Waikato-Bay of Plenty [WaiBop] National team of the women's league. Another who plays futsal. One of five players to play all four matches of the World Cup. Scored a tying goal of the team against Uruguay.

# 11 – KELLI BROWN

An attacker who plays for Hamilton Wanderers and the WaiBop National Women's League team. Scored the goal of the team 's goals up until now with a distance shot while they were beating Finland to open the tournament, and then was on hand to tap into what' s going on. turned out to be the winner against Uruguay. Also scored in penalty kicks against Japan. Scored 14 goals in five games at the Under 16 Oceania Championship last year.

# 12 – JAYDA STEWART

A midfielder who plays for Waimakariri United and Canterbury United Pride. Scored three goals in five appearances at the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year. Started against Ghana, he then came off the bench against Japan, missing on penalties.

# 13 – BRITNEY CUNNINGHAM-LEE

An attacker from Auckland, where she plays for Papakura City and the National Women's League team of the federation. This was a key figure in Auckland, who won the national championship last year, establishing his equalizer and scoring the winner against Canterbury United Pride in overtime. Started against Ghana and out of the bench against Finland and Japan, scoring on penalties.

# 14 – LANEY STRACHAN

An Auckland defender, where she plays for Glenfield Rovers and is a member of the National Women's League Northern Lights team. One of the eight players of the World Cup team who did not participate in the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year. Started in the defeat against Ghana, his only participation in the tournament so far.

# 15 – GENEVIEVE RYAN

A defender from Auckland, where she plays for Western Springs and the National Women's League team of the federation. One of the eight players of the World Cup team who did not participate in the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year. Started in the defeat against Ghana, his only participation in the tournament so far.

# 16 – MAYA HAHN

A midfielder from Wellington, where she plays for Western Suburbs and for the National Women's League team of the capital. Very comfortable on the ball, he played all four games, starting against Ghana and replacing in other games, scoring in the penalty shootout against Japan. Won the gold ball as a tournament player in the Under – 16 Oceania Championship last year. Has accepted a scholarship to play for the Oregon Ducks in the US college system from next year.

# 17 – AYLA PRATT

A striker from the Bay of Plenty who played for the Three Kings United club in Auckland during the winter just disappeared. At 179cm, she is the largest member of the team. One of the eight players of the World Cup team who did not participate in the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year. Came off the bench against Uruguay and started against Ghana.

# 18 – LUXTON ROSE

A midfielder from Auckland where she plays for Forrest Hill Milford and, in the National Women's League, the Northern Lights. One of the eight players of the World Cup team who did not participate in the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year. Came off the bench against Uruguay and started against Ghana.

# 19 – ARABELLA MAYNARD

Another midfielder from Forrest Hill Milford in Auckland, who also plays for the Northern Lights in the National Women's League. Scored seven goals in three appearances at the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year. Out of the bench against Finland and started against Ghana. Had a concussion at the end of the last match and was subsequently excluded from the rest of the tournament.

# 20 – GEORGIA CANDY

The third player Hamilton Wanderers from this team and one of three goalkeepers. Is the No. 1 goalkeeper for WaiBop in the National Women's League. Made an appearance at the Under – 16 Oceania Championship last year. Like Blair Currie, his replacement, he has not yet taken off for the World Cup and it is unlikely that he will be unless Leat is injured or expelled. .

# 21 – BLAIR CURRIE

A cashmere technical goalkeeper in Christchurch. Like Candy, she has not yet taken off at the World Cup and this is unlikely unless Leat is injured or expelled. One of the eight players of the World Cup team who did not participate in the Under-16 Oceania Championship last year.