Football Ferns coach Tom Sermanni is refusing to give up on highly-rated prospect Indiah-Paige Riley representing New Zealand on the international stage, despite the fact she has been selected by Australia.
The Fortuna Hjørring forward was born in Auckland but grew up in Queensland and is eligible to represent both countries, who will host the World Cup together in 2023.
Riley was one of four uncapped players selected by new coach Tony Gustavsson in a predominantly European-based Matildas squad for a pair of games against Germany and the Netherlands.
But given the games are just friendlies, they will not tie her to Australia should the 19-year-old decide to switch nationalities.
Riley has already represented Australia at under-20 level, but last year revealed she was considering committing her international future to her country of birth after being approached by New Zealand Football in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics.
Sermanni has been in regular contact with the former W-League Young Player of the Year over the past 12 months and said he had spoken with her mother following Riley’s maiden Matildas call-up.
He said that she had indicated to him that Riley would continue to keep an open mind with regard to her international future and had not ruled out representing New Zealand despite her selection in the Australian squad.
“She hasn’t made any declaration at the moment,” Sermanni said. “And being included in this camp doesn’t really change things because she could even play in one of these internationals and still be eligible for New Zealand.
