Re AV's Olympics selection below, I'd still hope Miley Clegg can really progress, get some game time in the NWSL the next few months, and push her case. She'd probably replace Jale.
Perth (10th) were pretty poor in the ALW, but Jale's return of 3 goals in 19 games wasn't flash. Wilkinson playing at the best team yes in Melb City, but her regular season return of 9 goals in 20 games is not bad at all.
FYI - Speckmaier had 10 goals in 21 ALW games. She started both Venezuela verus Panama games this window. Full game in match one (2-0 win Venezuela) subbed off at HT in match two, a 3-0 win. Remembering Panama were at the WWC last year.
Elsewhere Colombia (in NZ's Olympics pool) beat Mexico 1-0. Mexico of course recently beating the USA for the first time.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fmotYznl/#/match-summary/match-summary
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350238016/wasteful-football-ferns-held-0-0-draw-thailand
The big picture
Perth (10th) were pretty poor in the ALW, but Jale's return of 3 goals in 19 games wasn't flash. Wilkinson playing at the best team yes in Melb City, but her regular season return of 9 goals in 20 games is not bad at all.
FYI - Speckmaier had 10 goals in 21 ALW games. She started both Venezuela verus Panama games this window. Full game in match one (2-0 win Venezuela) subbed off at HT in match two, a 3-0 win. Remembering Panama were at the WWC last year.
Elsewhere Colombia (in NZ's Olympics pool) beat Mexico 1-0. Mexico of course recently beating the USA for the first time.
https://www.flashscore.com/match/fmotYznl/#/match-summary/match-summary
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350238016/wasteful-football-ferns-held-0-0-draw-thailand
The big picture
The Ferns’ focus will now turn to facing opponents more in line with the three they will face at the Olympics – world No 3 France, No 9 Canada and No 23 Colombia.
When it comes to their squad for that tournament, it’s hard not to think that Leat and Esson will be the two goalkeepers; that Bott, Katie Bowen, Bunge, Ali Riley and Stott are locked in as defenders; Fraser, Annalie Longo – if fit – and Steinmetz as midfielders and Hand, Jale, Indiah-Paige Riley and Wilkinson as forwards.
That would leave four spots up for grabs and on the evidence of recent playing time, Mackenzie Barry – a centre back who can cover right back – Kate Taylor – a centre back and a central midfielder – and Kitching – a midfielder who can also play out wide – would be the favourites to claim three of them.
The other would likely be for a left back – either Michaela Foster – who could play in central midfield in a pinch – or Ally Green – who could play as a left winger, as she did impressively on Tuesday to press her case.