A behind-closed-doors training game on Saturday, and a full international scheduled for Tuesday, were called off.
The statement said: “After many communications and coordination between the two sides, the venue conditions still could not fully meet the other party’s expectations for the quality of the event, and finally, it was regretfully decided to cancel the game.
“After the New Zealand team arrived in Taiwan, they conducted several on-site inspections and meetings with our association and the venue regarding the site conditions, and also clearly put forward suggestions such as re-laying the turf.
“The venue immediately deployed additional staff during the Qingming Festival holiday, fully cooperated with the turf reinforcement work, and tried its best to complete the relevant improvement project.
“However, after an overall assessment by the New Zealand team, they chose not to participate in this event.
“The Chinese [Taipei] Football Association deeply regrets that this game could not be held as scheduled.
“As the only venues in the country that meet international competition standards are the Taipei Track and Field Stadium and the Kaohsiung National Stadium, when the venues were being arranged last year, both locations were unable to provide venues due to scheduled activities.
“The Chinese [Taipei] Football Association would like to sincerely apologize to all fans who were looking forward to entering the stadium to watch the game.
“The Association always takes player safety and game quality as its primary considerations.
“In the future, it will continue to improve the tournament planning and venue management mechanisms, and work with domestic teams to discuss long-term strategies for the maintenance of natural turf fields, hoping to bring fans a more stable and high-quality viewing experience.
“At the same time, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all relevant units and the Nanzi Football Stadium Management Unit for their active assistance during this period.
“They invested a lot of manpower and resources in a short period of time to repair the turf and improve the venue, demonstrating their support and attention to football.
“Although the deep friendship and exciting match with the New Zealand women’s football team failed to continue, the Chinese women’s football team will now fully prepare for the 2025 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held in Indonesia in June and the EAFF E-1 East Asian Cup Football Championship 2025 Women’s Finals to be held in South Korea in July.”
Fans who had bought tickets for the friendly international match against the Ferns were invited to apply for full refunds.
In their statement, New Zealand Football say both games were called off for safety reasons.
“The stadium staff have worked to improve the pitch since issues were first raised, but unfortunately, in its current condition, New Zealand Football have had to prioritise player welfare and call off the match, as it is unsuitable and unsafe to play on,” the statement said.
“Alternative venues were sought immediately when concerns were raised, but no suitable grass pitch options were available, so unfortunately, the match has had to be called off.”
Built in 2020, the venue has two pitches, one grass and one with an artificial surface, and has a seating capacity of 1,200.
The stadium came in for criticism after its construction when it failed to meet FIFA certification criteria.
The Ferns match would have been the first international played at the stadium, and the first home international in six years for the Chinese Taipei team.
