Colombia looked a really good team with some players in a different class than us. We actually scrambled really well at the back a few times to keep the score to what it was.
They're definitely underrated but it just shows how out of our depth we are. They were the "easiest" team we could get in the tournament and they still outplayed us easily.
Colombia looked a really good team with some players in a different class than us. We actually scrambled really well at the back a few times to keep the score to what it was.
They're definitely underrated but it just shows how out of our depth we are. They were the "easiest" team we could get in the tournament and they still outplayed us easily.
Watched both our game and the Zambia/Australia game and I would put money on Colombia to beat Australia or Zambia.
Im not sure who saw it but the Australia vs Zambia game seems to be one of the games of any tournament, Aussie coming back from 2-5 down to win 6-5 with a last minute goal....no podgy defensive football in that game.
Im not sure who saw it but the Australia vs Zambia game seems to be one of the games of any tournament, Aussie coming back from 2-5 down to win 6-5 with a last minute goal....no podgy defensive football in that game.
Zambia with a million dollar striker (Banda) and a 50 cent goal keeper.
What really bugs me is a complete lack of a plan b. If your style of football ain't working,then try something else that might. 2 nil down,15 to go and we are still passing along the backline and to the keeper. Colombia are like,wow keep it there. Why haven't we got 5 up front in one area of the pitch and try to outnumber them?? Make something happen. It's so one dimensional and predictable
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 30, 2024
INCREDIBLE: NEW ZEALAND TEAMMATES HONOR ALI RILEY 🥺
Heartwarming moment as NZ players honored injured captain Ali Riley, who was withdrawn from the team on medical grounds, performing a traditional Māori Haka, a ritual that represents pride, strength & unity 🫶
I'm curious if FIFA or IOC are entirely happy about OFC (NZ) getting an automatic spot at this tournament still. With other continents improving we are increasingly out of our depth, here and Tokyo. Or perhaps they can just use common sense and expand the tournament to 16 teams like the mens!
"I heard from a friend." If you have a vpn, switch to US IP address then search olympics football on youtube, lots of legit news channels are playing good 5-6 minutues highlights of most games. There not visible when on NZ ip address as content not availble in nz.
The sky coverage is terrible. hardly any highlights of non nz sports. Ranix
Where are you watching highlights. I could find many search with Google.
I guess they want to lift the global standard. Not letting in an oceania team will just leave oceania further behind. It would be good if they could merge oceania/asia. Then at least all teams in oceania get more games against higher opposition. Maybe a prequalifying, like the lower ranked teams from asia/oceania have some tournament to see who makes the next/final round of the oceania/asia qualifiers. lthomas20
I'm curious if FIFA or IOC are entirely happy about OFC (NZ) getting an automatic spot at this tournament still. With other continents improving we are increasingly out of our depth, here and Tokyo. Or perhaps they can just use common sense and expand the tournament to 16 teams like the mens!
I guess they want to lift the global standard. Not letting in an oceania team will just leave oceania further behind. It would be good if they could merge oceania/asia. Then at least all teams in oceania get more games against higher opposition. Maybe a prequalifying, like the lower ranked teams from asia/oceania have some tournament to see who makes the next/final round of the oceania/asia qualifiers. lthomas20
I'm curious if FIFA or IOC are entirely happy about OFC (NZ) getting an automatic spot at this tournament still. With other continents improving we are increasingly out of our depth, here and Tokyo. Or perhaps they can just use common sense and expand the tournament to 16 teams like the mens!
Actually some merit in this for the Women's game. The Middle Eastern/West Asian teams pretty much are at a similar weak level to the OFC no NZ teams.
The highest ranked West Asian team (women's rankings) is Uzbekistan at 47th. Then Iran at 63rd. Even Myanmar are 54th. There are 9 East Asian teams (incl Matildas) ranked higher than the Uzbeks. The Matildas beat Uzbekistan 10-0 earlier this year.
So you could agrue that the Ferns & other OFC teams, somehow join East Asia for WC/Olympics qualifying.
Though I guess the West Asian teams do have big potential to improve in the women's game, as things modernise there re women's sport. Doesn't Saudi now even have a women's football league?
Players after the game commenting on their (no) ability to keep the ball - is there any stats on that? What was their maximum or average number of consecutive passes?
Yes the idea that for female players there needs to be a stronger emphasis on a fun environment (no matter what the level), for them to be happy and perform best. And yeah some male coaches like say a Heraf, may not grasp that important difference.
Losing all three games though expected is disappointing, still frustrated over how negative we were and easily outplayed against Colombia. Canada game was okay but we didn't build on our lead and let them control the game and eventually deservedly win, France probably the best of the lot especially defensively.
Disappointing that we seem to only score goals as worldies. Moments of straight out individual skill with some luck.
Think back to that often replayed goal of Wilkinson's against Norway, at the WWC. A beautiful team goal. Haven't seen anything close to it since. The midfield & attacking thirds still remain massive workons. Not helped by Fraser missing the last 2 pool games.
Can't see any major improvement happening quickly. The hope lies with the younger players like Clegg, Fraser, Whinham, Errington etc but it's going to take time.
