This sucks on all accounts. Good defensive effort but our ability going forward is similar to the ability in the commentary booth. Touches like trampolines
Halftime 0-0. Colombia having the better of scoring chances forcing a couple of goalbound blocks from NZ defenders and hitting the crossbar in the 38th minute. No substitutions so far from either side.
I do wonder why I bother watching these sometimes. No quality to be seen anywhere on the pitch. This game is what Man U fans think their team looks like.
Ha ha, actually the last 15 minutes + stoppage time were good to watch, it seemed that Colombia ran out of steam a bit (perhaps the marching powder wore off) and the Fernies had a couple of chances.
Ha ha, actually the last 15 minutes + stoppage time were good to watch, it seemed that Colombia ran out of steam a bit (perhaps the marching powder wore off) and the Fernies had a couple of chances.
Say that tired old 1980s 'joke' to a modern Colombian and expect rolled eyes & a slap in the face.
While a good result, maybe a draw is a bit of a missed opportunity - would have been nice to gain some ground on Colombia in the world rankings. It's looking pretty tight as to whether we will be in Pot 3 or Pot 4 for the Olympics.
12 teams at the Olympics, taking a look at pots: - Hosts France, the two other Euro teams, USA & Canada, Australia, Brazil (7 teams) will all be there and seeded above us - Japan will be the 8th so long as they beat North Korea, then Colombia are marginally above us at the moment putting them into Pot 3 - The two African qualifiers will be ranked below us and in Pot 4
We did well lasting the 90 min at that altitude and having chances at the end. I think the players took quite a while to adjust. Game 2 will be interesting.
standard was poor, the first half terrible no way can that be international level for both teams. Agree we probably came into the game late but did you ever think we would score?
standard was poor, the first half terrible no way can that be international level for both teams. Agree we probably came into the game late but did you ever think we would score?
Bowen and Stott hold this team together.
Jale not a footballer.
Bowen and Stott were very very good, no doubt. Call out for Paige Riley who I thought showed great endeavour until subbed. I dont think Hand and Jale are the solutions to our striking issues unfortunately.
Head Coach Jitka Klimkovás thoughts on the Ferns performance and how the team can build on it for their second game against Colombia next week 🇳🇿🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/JPZczUw2kr
Just caught up with this game. Looked like a really good crowd cheering on Columbia. First half thought we were second best at most everything. They certainly are better than us technically, but were poor in front of goal. Our midfield being pretty non existing bar Steinmetz. The altitude really looked a factor. Any lofted balls were way off the mark. Even the Columbian players struggled with this at times. Better performance in the second half., even if we didn't really create a lot of chances. Our backline and Steinmetz, best on field for us. To be honest the game really lacked intensity. I know its a friendly game but I would have thought with the big crowd, there would have been more intent. Next game is behind closed doors, so may be even more of a practice game atmosphere. I'd like to see Van Deer Meer and Green start in the FB roles. (If for no other reason, so that Barry and Foster can still maybe have some energy to play for the Nix next weekend. Barry looked absolutely gassed at the end of that one) Also think Cleverely deserves more game time in mid field, she's a bit under rated I think. Hope they stick with Hand and Jale up front. I know they weren't great in this game, but we need to move on from Wilkinson. So they really need the chance to combine and score a goal. Another 90 minutes and maybe they can. Would also like to see how Elliot goes off the bench at this level, with some of her bulldozing runs at a tired opposition.
Edit. Oh yes and how bad was the NZ commentary team. I switched and watched a Columbian version on you tube. Even though I couldnt understand a word. Just the vocal hype was so much better than the slow monotone of the NZ commentary that couldn't even get there facts right on many occasions.
Might get your wish re VDM or Green starting next. Riley ruled out of the next game. Agree with need to perserve with Jale & Hand. Real pity Clegg currently injured, whilst Wilkinson being suspended is a blessing to give others a chance.
Injury Update: Ford Football Ferns Captain, Ali Riley, has been ruled out of our clash with Colombia on Wednesday (NZT) after picking up an injury in training.
That Colombian side had nine starters in common from the team that lost 2-1 to England in the World Cup quarters. One of the absentees was Linda Caicedo, their best player, who damaged some ankle ligaments for Real Madrid recently... but she’s still only one woman. Colombia weren’t messing about in front of a vibrant home crowd.
Terrible news for MVDM. Must have been tough for the Ferns to initially focus in their first game, with the bad injury to her happening in the actual warmup.
Terrible news for MVDM. Must have been tough for the Ferns to initially focus in their first game, with the bad injury to her happening in the actual warmup.
Yeh I thought that Barry looked out of sorts at the start there. But on hindsight think she was visibly shaken by what happened to her team mate there in the warm up.
See - a goal happens when you actually play the ball forwards and threaten the goal, not pass the thing back to your keeper all the time. To be fair to Satchell, shes the one that really has tried to go forwards
We just don't back ourselves to go forward... just charge at them whats to lose?! So frustrating to see a player run on to a ball then stop, turn back, pass back. Hand was gd as usual, and Kitching had good go forward and industry. Shame for Bowen..a class act.. who deserves to remember her 100th fondly but prob won't.
Would have been another 0-0 draw had Leat not made the error. Hand could have put us 1 up too. Whilst we are not great on attack we tend to make it tough for teams to score, unless we make a mistake - which happens a little too frequesntly for my liking. It's not fantastic to watch but I'd rather see some football than none. Klimkova must be getting some questions thrown her way about the style she is playing the team in. If not then Pragnell and co are like me and just happy we are playing regularly. They should be demanding better and I hope that is the next thing that is dealt with.
Big pity Clegg & Fraser weren't available. They are the future. And until the likes of them are playing for the Ferns, the very limited game plan based off a tight defence will continue. Of course is no guranatee that these youngsters will be able to step up from a weakest ALW, to be quality international footballers. But until there are better technical players in the Ferns, with an improved first touch, and heads up spatial awareness, there won't be much improvment no matter who the coach is.
Next year brings the cakewalk of OFC Olympic qualifying, and players blowing out their goal scoring stats. Then the complete contrast of being at the actual Olympics where the Ferns will be the weakest team there, it will be backs to the wall stuff, and a fair chance of not scoring a goal over 3 pool games.
Big pity Clegg & Fraser weren't available. They are the future. And until the likes of them are playing for the Ferns, the very limited game plan based off a tight defence will continue. Of course is no guranatee that these youngsters will be able to step up from a weakest ALW, to be quality international footballers. But until there are better technical players in the Ferns, with an improved first touch, and heads up spatial awareness, there won't be much improvment no matter who the coach is.
Next year brings the cakewalk of OFC Olympic qualifying, and players blowing out their goal scoring stats. Then the complete contrast of being at the actual Olympics where the Ferns will be the weakest team there, it will be backs to the wall stuff, and a fair chance of not scoring a goal over 3 pool games.
A coach could definitely change things. There is just no realisation that to score goals you have to go forwards, take chances, put the ball in the danger area and actually have shots! Quite clearly the high altitude was effecting the way the ball sailed. There were times when the ball was there to be hit in/hit at goal and it wasnt - why the hell not, who knows what would have happened. Pissing about passing back to the keeper is embarrassing. I saw nothing frightening about Columbia and we went out with a whimper. We should change the team name to NZ Football Ferns Nil.
5 goals in 16 matches in 2023... says it all. The most frustrating part is that we shouldn't be a bad team. These Colombia results aren't even bad, in fact, the 0-0 is quite solid. Competitive in these games, played well in the World Cup and also pre-World Cup against Vietnam.
But if you can't score goals you're not really getting anywhere... feel like the point keeps on getting laboured again and again. I only saw the first half today but apart from a run Hassett made into the box by luck, we offered absolutely nothing going forward.
I don't know what the answers are, but as others have said, we play like we are afraid to lose. This is Klimkova's biggest issue, and it was the biggest issue when she came in as well. These friendly games were pretty meaningless, and yes we got one good result, but it didn't mean anything. We need to experiment - try a different style of play, new formation, new combinations of players, etc. If we lose friendlies trying new things I think we as fans can be accepting of that - for me that would show greater bravery than trying to cling on for 0-0 draws and close 1-0 losses.
Could NZF even hire them a specialist attacking coach to help Klimkova?
5 goals in 16 matches in 2023... says it all. The most frustrating part is that we shouldn't be a bad team. These Colombia results aren't even bad, in fact, the 0-0 is quite solid. Competitive in these games, played well in the World Cup and also pre-World Cup against Vietnam.
But if you can't score goals you're not really getting anywhere... feel like the point keeps on getting laboured again and again. I only saw the first half today but apart from a run Hassett made into the box by luck, we offered absolutely nothing going forward.
I don't know what the answers are, but as others have said, we play like we are afraid to lose. This is Klimkova's biggest issue, and it was the biggest issue when she came in as well. These friendly games were pretty meaningless, and yes we got one good result, but it didn't mean anything. We need to experiment - try a different style of play, new formation, new combinations of players, etc. If we lose friendlies trying new things I think we as fans can be accepting of that - for me that would show greater bravery than trying to cling on for 0-0 draws and close 1-0 losses.
Could NZF even hire them a specialist attacking coach to help Klimkova?
Dont need a specialist coach. I will sit down with them and watch the replay and point out every ball that went back when it should have gone forwards. And every time someone should have run forward to support someone who had a rare ball.
Just pass the bloody ball forward would go some way to solving the goal scoring problem. Think we would all rather out midfield to attempt a forward pass and see it cut out rather then go from middle 3rd to back 3rd. I think the CMs showed improvement in getting into positions to potentially play forward, but then not actually making a pass. Technically we are just very average as well which doesn't help, that's more the worrying thing for me that standard of player doesn't seem to have improved. Hopefully these young girls kick on.
Her record since taking over: P32 W5 D6 L21 GF15 GA55
For fudges sake. And you’ve given her 4 MORE YEARS. What are you afraid of Mr Pragnall? Read the results. They are 100% rubbish. At least call for a review ..
