Defender Michaela Foster has replaced Ali Riley in the New Zealand team at the Olympic Games after head coach Michael Mayne made the decision to withdraw Riley on medical grounds.
Foster’s promotion from alternate player to full squad member sees defender Grace Neville, a non-travelling reserve for the tournament, called up to join the team in France.
Riley says she’s been struggling with an “excruciatingly painful” nerve injury for seven months.
Main photo: Ali Riley … won’t play at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Head coach Michael Mayne said: “This decision to medically withdraw Ali has not been easy. She has done everything in her control to get herself ready to compete ahead of what would have been her fifth Olympic Games.
“She is a veteran of this team, and someone that holds a lot of mana in the group, so we are hurting for her but also want her to get back to her best.
“She has had dedicated medical teams in both club and international environments working to try and get us into the best possible position for her to take to the field and perform as the team knows she can and needed her to against the opposition we will face.
“After many conversations leading to making this decision, and with time against us, I have had to replace her in order to utilise the small window I have to bring another player into the squad for the three group games.
“Using the information I have, after playing out a number of scenarios that could impact the team once the bubble closes and looking after Ali’s well-being, I have made the decision to withdraw her.
“This was definitely not a situation where it has been clear-cut on the best course of action, but this is the decision I have taken which I believe will be best for the team and to allow Ali to start her recovery. I know the team wishes her well on her injury.”
New Zealand
Player/caps/club
Mackenzie Barry* (16 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
CJ Bott (46 caps) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (109 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Milly Clegg* (8 caps) Racing Louisville, United States
Victoria Esson (23 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland
Michaela Foster (18 caps) Auckland United, New Zealand
Macey Fraser* (5 caps) Utah Royals, United States
Ally Green (14 caps) AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand (27 caps) Lewes FC, England
Grace Jale* (31 caps) Unattached
Katie Kitching* (10 caps) Sunderland, England
Anna Leat (18 caps) Aston Villa, England
Meikayla Moore (65 caps) Glasgow City, Scotland
Gabi Rennie (37 caps) Åland United, Finland
Indiah-Paige Riley* (24 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Malia Steinmetz* (31 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (102 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Kate Taylor* (16 caps) Unattached
*Denotes first involvement in an Olympic campaign
Alternates
Claudia Bunge (31 caps) HB Køge, Denmark
Annalie Longo (133 caps) Cashmere Technical, New Zealand
Grace Neville (10 caps) London City, England
Murphy Sheaff (0 caps) Kansas State University, United States
Olympic Games fixtures
Games to be played on Friday July 26, 2024 (NZT)
Canada v New Zealand
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 3am (NZT)
France v Colombia
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 7am (NZT)
Games to be played on Monday July 29, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v Colombia
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 3am (NZT)
France v Canada
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 7am (NZT)
Games to be played on Thursday August 1, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v France
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 7am (NZT)
Colombia v Canada
Stade de Nice, Nice, 7am (NZT)
This story was first published on July 25, 2024.
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