The Football Ferns will play Japan in a friendly in October as they continue their preparations for next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup on home soil.
A match in Nagano was announced on Monday and will be played on Sunday, October 9.
It is set to be the only Ferns fixture in the two-match international window.
The Football Ferns last played Japan at Sky Stadium in Wellington in June 2018, losing 3-1 with centre back Meikayla Moore scoring her first international goal .
READ MORE: * Annalie Longo back in Football Ferns; Wellington Phoenix duo receive first callups * Football Ferns confirm games against European opposition * Grace Jale's hard work pays off with return to the Football Ferns * Football Ferns to keep seeking matches against higher-ranked opponents That match was followed by a period of upheaval, with complaints from players leading to the departure of then-coach Andreas Heraf.
NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell had pledged to have the team active in every international window in 2022 ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Confirmation of a fixture in October leaves only the September and November windows to be filled.
It is expected the November window will feature the Ferns’ first home matches in more than four years, but plans for September are less clear.
The Ferns are currently in camp in Norway ahead of a match against their hosts in Oslo this weekend [kickoff 3am Sunday NZ time].
They will then shift to Pinatar in Spain for a match against Wales [kickoff 5am next Wednesday NZ time].
Coach Jitka Klimková named a 24-strong squad for the pair of friendlies last week , featuring the return of veteran midfielder Annalie Longo.
Sunday, June 26, 3am: v Norway; Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo Wednesday, June 29, 5am: v Wales; Pinatar Arena, Pinatar, Spain August 29 , September 6: Two-match international window Sunday, October 9, TBC: v Japan; Nagano U Stadium, Nagano November 7, 15: Two-match international window © 2022 Stuff Limited source