Indiah-Paige Riley has been named by the Football Ferns for the first time since switching her international allegiance from Australia to New Zealand.
The Auckland-born 20-year-old, who debuted for the Matildas in last year’s 5-2 friendly defeat to Germany, announced in July she wanted to represent New Zealand heading into the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Riley moved to Australia when she was 12, began her professional career in the A-League Women with Brisbane Roar, and was nominated for the competition’s young player of the year award in 2019-20.
Currently based in Denmark with Fortuna Hjorring, Riley was on Tuesday included in a 22-player squad to take on Mexico and ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic’s Philippines in friendlies next month.
Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimkova said Riley brought versatility to her squad.
“Indiah is a quality player who has already experienced professional football in Denmark,” Klimkova said in a statement.
“She’s versatile – she can play defence, she can play higher up the field, and I can’t wait to see where she will fit in our squad. We need this kind of competition between the players.”
Riley is the second product of the Australian system to turn their back on the Matildas for New Zealand in recent times, with Sydney-born defender Ally Green having debuted for her mother’s country of birth against Wales in June.
Green is also named in the squad, which includes eight players based in the ALW – Claudia Bunge (Melbourne Victory), Mackenzie Barry (Wellington Phoenix), Elizabeth Anton (Perth Glory), Kate Taylor (Wellington Phoenix), Paige Satchell (Wellington Phoenix), Malia Steinmetz (Western Sydney Wanderers), Grace Jale (Canberra United) and Hannah Wilkinson (Melbourne City).
The Football Ferns face Mexico on September 2 and AFF Women’s Championship winners the Philippines on September 7, both matches being played in Los Angeles.
