The Junior Ferns squad which is contesting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Finals this month is arguably the most experienced age-grade squad New Zealand has ever sent abroad to contest an international tournament. While six of the squad are newcomers at a FIFA Finals, six players are making their second appearance at such an event, while Germany 2010 marks a third tour of duty as the world looks on for a further seven silver fern wearers. Renee Leota becomes one of eleven players to represent New Zealand on the world stage at a fourth FIFA Finals, that number having recently been bolstered by six of the All Whites squad which competed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals. But topping them all is Annalie Longo, who turned 19 the day before the Junior Ferns departed for Germany. It’s frightening to think, given her tender years, that this will be "Flea"’s fifth FIFA Finals tournament, and her third at U-20 level alone - the other events were the Women’s World Cup Finals at senior and U-17 levels in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Indeed, the twinkle-toed midfield dynamo has already represented New Zealand 58 times in full internationals at senior and age-grade level, scoring four goals. The first time she wore the silver fern in a full international was as a 14-year-old against Australia in an U-20 engagement in Canberra on 15 February, 2006. Since then, she has amassed a total of 22 caps for the Junior Ferns, played in ten full internationals for the Young Ferns, and 26 for the Football Ferns, the first of which saw her become New Zealand’s youngest-ever international - she was 15 years 137 days when selected to start against China in Hangzhou on 14 November, 2006. It’s a pretty safe bet that Annalie Longo will be one of the most experienced operators on show in Germany this month. Hopefully it will stand her and New Zealand in good stead as the Junior Ferns bid to make history by becoming this country’s first FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists at any level.