Midfielder Malia Steinmetz on her recent call-up to the Ford Football Ferns National Team for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup in the United States.
Steinmetz has featured in six matches in the heart of the Wanderers midfield and is one of six players in the Liberty A-League Women’s set to represent New Zealand in the upcoming SheBelieves Cup.
The 23-year-old made her return to the national team set-up back in November for the Korea Republic Series after some time away.
“I was picked a few years ago for the New Zealand national team when I was a bit younger, so I’ve been out for a few years so it’s really good to be back,” said Steinmetz.
“I’m really glad to have made it.
“In November, I was there with the team in South Korea so to be named again is promising but it’s going to be a hard effort leading up to the World Cup.”
Steinmetz and the Football Ferns will travel to the United States at the end of the month for the round-robin SheBelieves Cup where they will take on the host country, Iceland and the Czech Republic.
“I’m glad to be here with the Wanderers Women’s, so it’s been a great build-up for me,” said Steinmetz.
“That’s one of the main reasons I’ve been picked because of the team I’ve got here, the training we’ve been doing and the games we’ve had here have been at such a high-intensity.”
With the countdown now on for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil, Steinmetz is eager to see the growth of women’s football over the next two years.
“I’m so glad I made the move from New Zealand to come over here and play,” said Steinmetz.
“Obviously with Wellington Phoenix making their way over this season, you can tell that the league, it’s a good league to be building on especially into that World Cup.
“I’m just glad to be here and I just want to see it grow even more.”
