Surely the weather damage and the State of Emergency must be placing these Ferns games this week and the FIFA Women's World Cup Play-off tournament in jeopardy? How bad are things at the venues, the transport situation, ability to train etc.? (I live in blissfully unaffected Christchurch, so am unaware of the actual specifics of the situation at the match venues up north)
Surely the weather damage and the State of Emergency must be placing these Ferns games this week and the FIFA Women's World Cup Play-off tournament in jeopardy? How bad are things at the venues, the transport situation, ability to train etc.? (I live in blissfully unaffected Christchurch, so am unaware of the actual specifics of the situation at the match venues up north)
I was wondering the same to be honest. Friday seems awfully soon for everything to be fixed up and ready again. Especially for FIFA standards.
Esson misses out due to injury...... Edwards called in. So it's Nayler, Edwards and Sheaff again. So basically we have to have three matches of Nayler... what a shambles.
FRIENDLY MATCHES - FULL SCHEDULE FOR FERNS & OTHERS: These friendly matches are scheduled during the World Cup play-off tournament in New Zealand. They will have no bearing on qualification.
Wellington Phoenix teenager Milly Clegg will be pushing for a callup when the Ferns next assemble in April, even if she doesn’t add to her tally of two goals in the next few rounds of A-League Women.
Heart of Midlothian striker Katie Rood is another who has to be considered, as she has scored more club goals than any New Zealander bar Wilkinson since the last World Cup in 2019.
Spots are certainly up for grabs at the attacking end for the Ferns, with Chance the only player who can be sure of her place in the two wide midfield and two striker positions in the Ferns’ favoured 4-4-2 system.
Reasonable assessment of where things are at, 19 shots in 270 mins when any decent team would want at least 19 shots in 90 mins. If we arent gonna stop the opposition scoring we have to score goals, and we arent really doing wither at the moment. Klimkova has some decisions to make before the WC starts but no time now to actually test them. Is gonna be a tough ask to get out of the group which I think was the aim for the coach and players. Fingers crossed the likes of Wilkinson can find some scoring form asap.
Most worryingly, there were several baffling selection decisions – both at the start of matches, and during them – and that can’t continue in April and July if the Ferns are to make the history they want to at a World Cup on home soil.
A first World Cup win and a place in the knockout stages remain within their reach, especially when you consider their lengthy injury list this month, and the mixed fortunes of their group A rivals – Norway, the Philippines and Switzerland – over the past fortnight.
But Jitka Klimková’s personnel choices need to start making more sense than they did on several occasions in February, even when allowing for the fact that she was without six top players for the loss to Portugal and nine for each of the two losses to Argentina – absences that make calls for a change of coach an overreaction.
Not having her there this time in place of Mackenzie Barry (who played one minute as the third-choice right back), Ava Collins (27 as the sixth-choice forward) or Indiah-Paige Riley (who missed the first two matches with concussion) was another missed opportunity.
Most worryingly, there were several baffling selection decisions – both at the start of matches, and during them – and that can’t continue in April and July if the Ferns are to make the history they want to at a World Cup on home soil.
A first World Cup win and a place in the knockout stages remain within their reach, especially when you consider their lengthy injury list this month, and the mixed fortunes of their group A rivals – Norway, the Philippines and Switzerland – over the past fortnight.
But Jitka Klimková’s personnel choices need to start making more sense than they did on several occasions in February, even when allowing for the fact that she was without six top players for the loss to Portugal and nine for each of the two losses to Argentina – absences that make calls for a change of coach an overreaction.
Not having her there this time in place of Mackenzie Barry (who played one minute as the third-choice right back), Ava Collins (27 as the sixth-choice forward) or Indiah-Paige Riley (who missed the first two matches with concussion) was another missed opportunity.
To say that the other teams in the Ferns' WC group "struggled in their friendlies" this month is stretching things a bit. Norway: In the four nation "Tournoi de France" drew with hosts France (world ranking 5), beat Uruguay (world ranking 67) and lost to Denmark (ranking 18) So, mixed results (drawing with France in France is a good achievement). Regarding Denmark, they are a tough opponent - qualified directly for the World Cup by topping their group, winning all eight games (42 goals for, two against). Switzerland: Drew two friendlies with Poland played in Spain this month. Poland are a strong side who narrowly missed a play-off spot in WCQ, finishing third in a very strong group two points behind Norway and Belgium (WDL: 6 2 2) Switzerland will be tough. Ranked 21 Finished second in their WCQ group two points behind Italy (WDL: 8 1 1) Their only loss was at home to Italy (funnily, beat them away in Palermo). They beat a much-improved Wales in the play-off. That was Wales' only loss in their last ten games. (We drew with Wales 0-0 last year in a friendly in Spain) Most of their squad play in top European leagues (two at Arsenal, seven in Germany, three in France - incl. PSG, three in Spain - incl. Barcelona) Philippines: Played in thefour nation Pinatar Cup in Spain 16 - 22 Feb. Lost by only one goal to Wales and Scotland (0-1 and 1-2). Outclassed by Iceland, who won the tournament, 5-0 However, they probably won't be easy beats for NZ. They've had some good results in 2022 - 23: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines_women%27s_national_football_team#Results_and_fixtures Beat Bosnia in both friendlies played in Europe. Drew with Costa Rica and lost by one goal in friendlies in Costa Rica in October. Drew with Chile in one friendly and lost the other only 1-0 in Chile in November. Scored 23 goals in seven games to win the ASEAN Championship last year (3-0 over Thailand in the final; beat the Aussie u-23's in group play) Scored 50 goals in six friendlies against Oceania sides (incl. two of the best PNG and Fiji) - the same way NZ would. Will be competently coached by former Matildas (and A-League men) coach Alen Stajcic. They actually have a few players playing in very good leagues around the world. They benefit from the fact that there are so many Filipinas living around the world who have come up through strong footballing systems.. Star player is striker Quinley Quizada who plays for Red Star Belgrade. (20 goals in 42 games for her country) Striker Sarina Bolden (17 goals in 31 apps) is a new signing for Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League, having previously played in Japan's top league and the US second tier. Defender Angela Beard (Western United) has recently switched allegiance from Australia (three friendly caps for the Matildas, age group international). Has experience the last two seasons in Denmark and with Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar. Striker Katrina Guillou (10 goals in 22 games) plays for Pitea in the top Swedish league. Defender Jessica Cowart plays for Kalmar in the top Swedish league. Two midfielders play in Norway - Serrano in the top league and Eggesvik in the second tier. Two play in the Icelandic league Seven of their young side play for US universities.
One thing that has frustrated me during this coaching reign is the constantly playing players out of position. Moore and Anton at fullback, Riley and A Green at centerback, Taylor in center mid. Flexibility is great for tournaments where you can only take 18 and need players to cover multiple positions, but here at a world cup you can take 23, 2 players in every position. You don't need your center backs to play fullback or vv. You don't need a right side fullback to cover left fullback as well. You don''t need a centerback to step into mid field or vv. Katie Bowen can play any of the midfield/defence positions if two players in the same position get injured during a torunament.
My depth chart is currently Goalkeeper: Esson, Leat, Nayler Left Fullback: Foster, Riley (starting Foster over Riley) Right Fullback: Bott, Neville Centerbacks: Stott, Bowen, Bunge, ???? : probably Anton over Barry over Moore Midfielders: Steinmetz, Percival, Cleverley, Wisnewski Wingers: Hasset, Chance, Jale, ???? : probably Page-Riley over Blake, Collins, Hand Forwards: Wilkinson, ????, ????, ???? : probably Rennie and Satchell if you want two forwards to run for 45 minutes each and any goal they score is a bonus, and Clegg as the one person in the country who can score in last 30 if they have space and time to fashion themselves a chance.
That all looks good. I think if she is fit they take Longo over Wisnewski. Moore played most of her teens and early 20’s as a fullback. I’m our team we will play most games where there is limited opportunities to get forward as a fullback so that is fine. Bott is our best outfielder so she is first name on the team sheet. If we want to score goals then we need to have Clegg and Whinham in the squad. Even for the experience would be better than taking someone who is unlikely to start like Collins. So of your 4 ? That’s two of them. Then I would take Hand, and probably Paige-Riley as the other two. Rennie and Satchell have had lots of opportunities to cement a place in the team but have not been able to score goals. And I would start Jale over Wilkinson as the starting Striker. Watch the replays of the Ferns vs Wales and the other European tour games from last year. We looked much better then, than this last series of matches
interesting read with some great analysis. I feel the injury point is kind of moot though, not many teams ever have a full squad available thats just football.
Very interested to read the write up on Klimkova though as I still think despite availability problems she's massively under delivered.
Ask Pragnell does he believe 3 wins from 24 games is acceptable? and at what point does Klimkova come under pressure? Is a win against the philipines (first ever world cup win) enough to justify his 6 year contract he dished out? Is that seen as him saving face?
He needs to pull his blinds up in the office and listen to fans and stakeholders of the game. We deserve better.
appreciate the time in the above article - but these guys only touch on results from the series just been. They need to look and assess the Sharkklova reign - 3 wins from 24. Scored 8 conceded close to 50. It can't be "oh but we only lost 1-0 last week"
Anyways this fella pragnell has basically now said that a win against the phillipines is a pass mark! to basically cover his own assssssss.
We've gone so backwards on and off the pitch in performance and expectation. NZF is a complete circus. I think the media have given up on getting true answers from them too. Or maybe some media aren't really up to it...some of the crap you read these days.
The buzz of this upcoming world cup could mask over some serious issues. Cannot wait for all the excuses to come "but wait wasn't it such an amazing event to be involved in" - thats where we will be at.
we need to sack everyone at NZF immediately. empty office, no problem.
we also need to commence an immediate rebuild with our most promising three year olds. there's no use playing anyone older as i heard they have all made a mistake or two.
#sackeveryone
but seriously, yeah, lots wrong. we're shizen
i see piney wrote an article today which may tell some harsh truths (paywalled)
My biggest fear about the upcoming WC is that we will end up being the worst host nation for a men's or women's WC on the pitch ever.
I think Qatar men are that team currently but I can see this Ferns team embarrassing us in July. Especially if Aussie does as well as expected.
If they beat the Philippines, the football media will spin it as a positive because we win our first ever world cup game
No I think the football media are starting to question the performance of the Ferns, given the pretty generous programme of games they get (compared to the AWs), and fact Klimkova has had plenty of time now in charge.
Witness Piney's Herald article - behind a paywall but we all see the tone in first paragraph that the WWC could be dam squad for the home fans, and a big missed opportunity by NZF. A 1-0 win over the Philippines but losses to Swiss & Norway won't lead to praise.
we need to sack everyone at NZF immediately. empty office, no problem.
we also need to commence an immediate rebuild with our most promising three year olds. there's no use playing anyone older as i heard they have all made a mistake or two.
#sackeveryone
but seriously, yeah, lots wrong. we're shizen
i see piney wrote an article today which may tell some harsh truths (paywalled)
Piney's argument that Klimkova is improperly giving chance after chance to established players is utterly demolished by The Niche Cache:
there’s this idea that I keep seeing about senior players in the Ferns side keeping their spots without delivering performances and I honestly can’t even think who folks are talking about there. Maybe Erin Nayler... but she hasn’t kept her spot. She’s dropped to second maybe even third choice keeper status in recent times, it’s just that both Vic Esson and Anna Leat were injured for the last tour. ... On the contrary, it’s the ongoing injury-enforced absences of experienced players like Ria Percival, Rebekah Stott, and Annalie Longo that’s one of the biggest issues. It’s not that they’ve got too many vets, it’s that they don’t have enough. The veterans are, in most cases, the best players. It’s why they’ve hung around so long. The other thing about that narrative, apart from it not being true, is that it’s predicated on the assumption that this is a team stocked with veterans. And that’s not true either.
we need to sack everyone at NZF immediately. empty office, no problem.
we also need to commence an immediate rebuild with our most promising three year olds. there's no use playing anyone older as i heard they have all made a mistake or two.
#sackeveryone
but seriously, yeah, lots wrong. we're shizen
i see piney wrote an article today which may tell some harsh truths (paywalled)
Piney's argument that Klimkova is improperly giving chance after chance to established players is utterly demolished by The Niche Cache:
there’s this idea that I keep seeing about senior players in the Ferns side keeping their spots without delivering performances and I honestly can’t even think who folks are talking about there. Maybe Erin Nayler... but she hasn’t kept her spot. She’s dropped to second maybe even third choice keeper status in recent times, it’s just that both Vic Esson and Anna Leat were injured for the last tour. ... On the contrary, it’s the ongoing injury-enforced absences of experienced players like Ria Percival, Rebekah Stott, and Annalie Longo that’s one of the biggest issues. It’s not that they’ve got too many vets, it’s that they don’t have enough. The veterans are, in most cases, the best players. It’s why they’ve hung around so long. The other thing about that narrative, apart from it not being true, is that it’s predicated on the assumption that this is a team stocked with veterans. And that’s not true either.
The Niche Cache have been the worst apologists for an underperforming Ferns side for the past 18 months.
we need to sack everyone at NZF immediately. empty office, no problem.
we also need to commence an immediate rebuild with our most promising three year olds. there's no use playing anyone older as i heard they have all made a mistake or two.
#sackeveryone
but seriously, yeah, lots wrong. we're shizen
i see piney wrote an article today which may tell some harsh truths (paywalled)
Piney's argument that Klimkova is improperly giving chance after chance to established players is utterly demolished by The Niche Cache:
there’s this idea that I keep seeing about senior players in the Ferns side keeping their spots without delivering performances and I honestly can’t even think who folks are talking about there. Maybe Erin Nayler... but she hasn’t kept her spot. She’s dropped to second maybe even third choice keeper status in recent times, it’s just that both Vic Esson and Anna Leat were injured for the last tour. ... On the contrary, it’s the ongoing injury-enforced absences of experienced players like Ria Percival, Rebekah Stott, and Annalie Longo that’s one of the biggest issues. It’s not that they’ve got too many vets, it’s that they don’t have enough. The veterans are, in most cases, the best players. It’s why they’ve hung around so long. The other thing about that narrative, apart from it not being true, is that it’s predicated on the assumption that this is a team stocked with veterans. And that’s not true either.
And yes they are somewhat correct in that it is not all about the veterans per se, and we have had injuries and unavailabilities aplenty. I think Pineys criticism is deserved but misplaced in a few areas, I have no idea how Bri Edwards of all players is going to help.
But it's also worth considering that the window in which we had the MOST veterans and just about our strongest side on paper... we lost 5-0 to the USA, 1-0 to Iceland and drew 0-0 with Czech Republic. Still didn't score a goal. And it was actually WORSE than when we had less of those players in the early JK series against Canada then Korea.
4 months out from the world cup. And all our WSL players are currently injured and have not played much football this season. Not ideal. Percival, Leat, Bott and Stott. Edit. All bar Leat, were injured while on international duty. That must be frustrating for there clubs.
Still no CJ Bott for Leicester City as they take on Tottenham in a crucial game for both teams this morning. Still out injured post NZ duty. Also still no sign of Ria Percival for Tottenham. She did her ACL in April 2022. Still looks a fair way off by this comment from there interim coach. She also confirmed Ria Percival is making strides in her recovery, but is not yet training with the team.
