Football Ferns

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about 1 month ago
Ferns will cruise from here and we'll probably forget about that first half. Remember even USA went a half scoreless against us before pummeling us second half. Probably a similar quality gap too tbh.
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about 1 month ago
Dunno who is worse. Us, PNG, or the commentators

Founder

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Fe
about 1 month ago
I'm glad I'm not the coach of that. Unbelievable dross.
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Ga
about 1 month ago
Jale and Stott are the only ones who come out of the game with credit
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Ga
about 1 month ago
1-0 over PNG is pretty concerning signs from our end. So lacking in intensity and toothless in front of goal
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FeGaSouthernix
about 1 month ago
The make a World Cup and aren’t even smiling as they are proper embarrassed 

Founder

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FeLT01
about 1 month ago
We were very bad, but I was more focused on Jale getting through the match uninjured.

Credit to PNG though, and their keeper.
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AntzGaSimon B
about 1 month ago
Fenix wrote:
I'm glad I'm not the coach of that. Unbelievable dross.
Coach is responsible for that dross. Bev can't come soon enough.
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about 1 month ago
PNG keeper gets player of the day
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Endorsed by
Antz
about 1 month ago
whatever-11456-1 wrote:
Is this really the best team that we can put out?
It was an ALW heavy selection in this game. Missing quite a number of the better players. 

CJ Bott, Katie Bowen, Indiah-Paige Riley, Malia Steinmetz and Macey Fraser.
Pia Vlok also not there, and she's almost already a Ferns starter given her form

I presume Milly Clegg wasn't playing because she is out of season, ie not match fit? 

But man that was poor tonight. The finishing almost comical in it's ineptness.

You'd get short odds on 3 pool game losses in Brazil next year, and maybe zero goals.
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FenixFeLT01Southernix+1
about 1 month ago
coochiee wrote:
 whatever-11456-1 wrote:
Is this really the best team that we can put out?
It was an ALW heavy selection in this game. Missing quite a number of the better players. 

CJ Bott, Katie Bowen, Indiah-Paige Riley, Malia Steinmetz and Macey Fraser.
Pia Vlok also not there, and she's almost already a Ferns starter given her form

I presume Milly Clegg wasn't playing because she is out of season, ie not match fit? 

But man that was poor tonight. The finishing almost comical in it's ineptness.

You'd get short odds on 3 pool game losses in Brazil next year, and maybe zero goals.
To be fair, we will probably be in Pot 3, so it depends who we get from pot 4.
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about 1 month ago
I knew I should have watched ep5 of Daredevil Born again instead of this match.  Based on this performance I predict we don't win a game and possibly not score a goal either.  
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about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
Unless I'm missing something, the Football Ferns (FIFA ranked 33rd) will be in Pot 4 most likely I'm guessing??

32 team WC. 4 pools of 8 teams.

In theory you could have the top 24 ranked teams in the world filling pots 1, 2 & 3.
No doubt some UEFA teams ranked higher than the Ferns will miss out. But 9 teams ranked higher than the Ferns, missing out?? 

So far hosts Brazil, NZ plus AFC teams AustraliaChina, JapanNorth Korea, Philippines and South Korea are all confirmed.
Of those sides only the Philippines (39th) have a lower ranking than the Ferns.
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about 1 month ago
HattyCW wrote:
Credit to PNG though, and their keeper.
And to their supporters, who really made themselves heard.

I didn’t quite catch the attendance, did they say 2984 or 3984?
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Ro
about 1 month ago
coochiee wrote:
Unless IO'm missing something, the Football Ferns (FIFA ranked 33rd) will be in Pot 4 most likely I'm guessing??

32 team WC. 4 pools of 8 teams.

In theory you could have the top 24 ranked teams in the world filling pots 1, 2 & 3.
No doubt some UEFA teams ranked higher than the Ferns will miss out. But 9 teams ranked higher than the Ferns, missing out?? 

So far hosts Brazil, NZ plus AFC teams AustraliaChina, JapanNorth Korea, Philippines and South Korea are all confirmed.
Of those sides only the Philippines (39th) have a lower ranking than the Ferns.
On my maths, no. You have to go by continent, a lot of the top 32 will be Euro teams that don't qualify.

Teams ranked below us/set to pot 4 will be:
Philippines from Asia
3-4 teams from Africa (only Nigeria could rise above us realistically)
3 intercontinental playoff winners (were all set to pot 4 last world cup)
1-2 teams from North America (4 qualify, 1 will be ranked below us, potentially 2 if Mexico bottle again)

All in all that comes to 8-10 teams ranked below us; i.e. we should be in Pot 3.
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about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
LT01 wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
Unless IO'm missing something, the Football Ferns (FIFA ranked 33rd) will be in Pot 4 most likely I'm guessing??

32 team WC. 4 pools of 8 teams.

In theory you could have the top 24 ranked teams in the world filling pots 1, 2 & 3.
No doubt some UEFA teams ranked higher than the Ferns will miss out. But 9 teams ranked higher than the Ferns, missing out?? 

So far hosts Brazil, NZ plus AFC teams AustraliaChina, JapanNorth Korea, Philippines and South Korea are all confirmed.
Of those sides only the Philippines (39th) have a lower ranking than the Ferns.
On my maths, no. You have to go by continent, a lot of the top 32 will be Euro teams that don't qualify.

Teams ranked below us/set to pot 4 will be:
Philippines from Asia
3-4 teams from Africa (only Nigeria could rise above us realistically)
3 intercontinental playoff winners (were all set to pot 4 last world cup)
1-2 teams from North America (4 qualify, 1 will be ranked below us, potentially 2 if Mexico bottle again)

All in all that comes to 8-10 teams ranked below us; i.e. we should be in Pot 3.
Okay cheers you have researched it better than me.
But it's gonna be touch & go isn't it. Only 7 teams ranked below us qualify, and into Pot 4 we go.

I'm surprised there are still no African teams ranked higher than the Ferns.
Nigeria (36th) the highest. Our U17 & U20 girls are now consisently getting flogged by CAF teams at their WCs from memory.

Nigeria comfortably beat the Ferns 3-0 in 2023, and in a pre Paris Olympics friendly in 2024 we only drew 1-1 with Zambia (current FIFA ranking 64).

Even if the Ferns do end up in Pot 3 they may find their Pot 4 pool opponent to be very tough to beat. Though luckily I see UEFA only get one team at the 10 team intercontinental playoffs.

https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/women
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LT01
about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
so a bit of a droll performance, still a 1-0.
winning ugly is all that matters, getting to the WC is all that anyone will remember in a few years time.
maybe the women were nervous, under presure who knows, we won, we qualified. Coaching staff will analyse the hell out of it and fix whatever needs to be fixed.
lets enjoy the fact that both our women and men are going to the big dance.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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AntzOi Oi EdgecumbeRo
about 1 month ago
Robin wrote:
PNG keeper gets player of the day
The keeper did her thing,and credit to her. 

But we put at least 5 open goal attempts wide, and many other other shots were wayward or weak. Quite astonishingly bad for full time players, it became laughable.
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about 1 month ago
coochiee wrote:
 Simon B wrote:
 HattyCW wrote:
Credit to PNG though, and their keeper.
And to their supporters, who really made themselves heard.

I didn’t quite catch the attendance, did they say 2984 or 3984?
3,984

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360965064/football-ferns-flub-their-lines-beating-papua-new-guinea-book-fifa-womens-world-cup-spot
Cheers - this bit of the article also caught my eye:

The Ferns will play as many as 15 matches between now and the World Cup, with international windows to come this year in June, October and November-December.

Home matches are understood to be on New Zealand Football’s radar for the last of those.
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about 1 month ago
theprof wrote:
so a bit of a droll performance, still a 1-0.
winning ugly is all that matters, getting to the WC is all that anyone will remember in a few years time.
maybe the women were nervous, under presure who knows, we won, we qualified. Coaching staff will analyse the hell out of it and fix whatever needs to be fixed.
lets enjoy the fact that both our women and men are going to the big dance.
Careful you might be asked to be the next ferns coach 

Founder

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wh
about 1 month ago
Feverish wrote:
 theprof wrote:
so a bit of a droll performance, still a 1-0.
winning ugly is all that matters, getting to the WC is all that anyone will remember in a few years time.
maybe the women were nervous, under presure who knows, we won, we qualified. Coaching staff will analyse the hell out of it and fix whatever needs to be fixed.
lets enjoy the fact that both our women and men are going to the big dance.
Careful you might be asked to be the next ferns coach 
no-one wants that.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 1 month ago
Simon B wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
 Simon B wrote:
 HattyCW wrote:
Credit to PNG though, and their keeper.
And to their supporters, who really made themselves heard.

I didn’t quite catch the attendance, did they say 2984 or 3984?
3,984

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360965064/football-ferns-flub-their-lines-beating-papua-new-guinea-book-fifa-womens-world-cup-spot 
Cheers - this bit of the article also caught my eye:

The Ferns will play as many as 15 matches between now and the World Cup, with international windows to come this year in June, October and November-December.
Home matches are understood to be on New Zealand Football’s radar for the last of those.
Looking forward to having them in Wellington and Christchurch!
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Simon B
about 1 month ago
"i DoN't LiKe tHe PhOeNix" - Deven Jackson has drunk from the same kool-aid bottle as Michael Woud and Callan Elliot.  Not sure what we've done to be disliked considering we've been the only professional football club for women in 5 years. Bet she wouldn't have the guts to say it to Jale, or Manaia or Emma P.  I hope that Mel City get knocked out, it would be so sweet.



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17 days ago
Haiti and Morocco in June.
The Ferns play more in Southern Spain (beautiful part of the world) than they do in Aotearoa.

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2052150865591763196

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17 days ago
coochiee wrote:
Haiti and Morocco in June.
The Ferns play more in Southern Spain (beautiful part of the world) than they do in Aotearoa.

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2052150865591763196
 
June Window locked in 🔒🇳🇿

The Ford Football Ferns will face and Morocco in Spain next month 🇭🇹🇲🇦

⏩ Read more: https://t.co/d0fPYipZoh pic.twitter.com/ziwQZAYTvh
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 6, 2026 


 
4-6 since 2023, but would be 6-4 in NZ's favour if they hadn't been stiffed last June.
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coochiee
17 days ago
“Haiti and Morocco are teams that will challenge us in the ways we need at this point of the campaign,” Ferns head coach Michael Mayne said.

New Zealand are currently #33 in the FIFA world rankings, while Haiti are #49 and Morocco are #62.

Both matches will be played at Nuevo Estadio El Maulí in Malaga, Spain.

Ford Football Ferns head coach Michael Mayne said:  “It was great to get the job done at home last month and secure our place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, but we know that was just the first of many objectives for the team in this campaign.

“We need to put together a campaign that sees us arrive at the tournament in the best possible position to perform and progress from the group, so games like this, where we can test ourselves against teams from two different confederations, are exactly what we need.

“The end of 2025 saw us challenge ourselves against some highly ranked teams, which was important as we know we will have to find solutions to this in Brazil, but these last few windows have also provided us with some clear direction on what’s most important to target in matches for the remainder of the year as we continue progressing towards the tournament.

“I am feeling and seeing real progress as a group, both on and off the pitch, so far this cycle, and I’ve been really impressed with the way the players have implemented our new way of working and playing style, while driving standards among themselves.

“There is still a need for further improvement as we build towards the tournament, but Haiti and Morocco are teams that will challenge us in the ways we need at this point of the campaign.

“Now that we have Brazil 2027 in mind, it gives us a clear focus over the next year, so I’m looking forward to the wider squad pushing their case for selection for the tournament.”

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15 days ago
coochiee wrote:
Haiti and Morocco in June.
The Ferns play more in Southern Spain (beautiful part of the world) than they do in Aotearoa.

https://twitter.com/NZ_Football/status/2052150865591763196
 
June Window locked in 🔒🇳🇿

The Ford Football Ferns will face and Morocco in Spain next month 🇭🇹🇲🇦

⏩ Read more: https://t.co/d0fPYipZoh pic.twitter.com/ziwQZAYTvh
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) May 6, 2026 


 
Good levels of opposition to play, just hope it doesn't tank our ranking too much because both are underrated for their ranking.

I assume we'll get Christchurch and Wellington games before the World Cup anyway.
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15 days ago · edited 15 days ago · History
Morocco definitely a team on the up. The Moroccan FA had planned to bid to host either 2031 or 2035 WWCs, but are now looking at 2039 (combined with Portugal & Spain). WWC will go 48 teams like mens from 2031

I imagine their better players move across the Med to play in Spain or France. But they have their own fully pro womens league.
Haiti from memory at the 2023 WWC had most of their team based in France.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crmv2rnr9wzo

If the Ferns lost both games they could slip down the rankings enough to be seeded Pot D for the WWC 2027 draw.
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15 days ago
So both the men and women are playing Haiti.  Well bragging rights will be up for grabs to see which team can get the best result.
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Oi Oi Edgecumbe
15 days ago · edited 15 days ago · History
 Within days of each other as well.

AWs v Haiti, Florida June 3rd, 12pm NZT
AWs v England, Florida June 7th, 8am NZT

Ferns v Haiti, Malaga June 6th, TBA NZT
Ferns v Morocco, Malaga June 10th, TBA NZT
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15 days ago
coochiee wrote:
Within days of each other as well.

AWs v Haiti, Florida June 3rd, 12pm NZT
AWs v England, Florida June 7th, 8am NZT

Ferns v Haiti, Malaga June 6th, TBA NZT
Ferns v Morocco, Malaga June 10th, TBA NZT
The Football Ferns matches are both 4am.
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14 days ago
andrewvoerman wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
Within days of each other as well.

AWs v Haiti, Florida June 3rd, 12pm NZT
AWs v England, Florida June 7th, 8am NZT

Ferns v Haiti, Malaga June 6th, TBA NZT
Ferns v Morocco, Malaga June 10th, TBA NZT
The Football Ferns matches are both 4am.
Of course they are...
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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History
Still no Katie Bowen. 

Difference of opinion her and Mayne?

 https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2057587795246596352
https://twitter.com/thenichecache/status/2057587797775822974

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1 day ago
Awesome to see Brooke getting her first senior call-up!
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1 day ago
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/166017?newsfeedId=1714742

The Ford Football Ferns squad to face Haiti (FIFA rank 49) and Morocco (FIFA rank 62) next month has been named, with two new players brought into the side for the team’s first matches since qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

University at Buffalo’s 20-year-old midfielder Mae Hunt has been named for the first time at any level for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Brooke Neary has also been named for the first time for the Ford Football Ferns after representing Aotearoa New Zealand at age-group level and previously joining the team as a training player for the Oceania Qualifiers last month.

The 24-player squad also sees the returns of Mackenzie Barry, Manaia Elliott, Maggie Jenkins, and Malia Steinmetz, who is named for the first time since recovering from a long-term ACL injury.

The full Ford Football Ferns squad is:

Liz Anton (28 caps/0 goals) Canberra United, Australia
Mackenzie Barry (24/1) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Hannah Blake (12/4) Durham FC, England
Claudia Bunge (42/1) Melbourne Victory, Australia
Milly Clegg (23/4) Vittsjö GIK, Sweden
Manaia Elliott (9/2) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Victoria Esson (33/0) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Michaela Foster (35/2) Durham FC, England
Ally Green (20/2) FC Copenhagen, Denmark
Maya Hahn (12/1) FC Viktoria Berlin, Germany
Jacqui Hand (39/9) FC Basel, Switzerland
Mae Hunt (debut) University at Buffalo, USA
Deven Jackson (10/1) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Grace Jale (39/9) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Maggie Jenkins (1/0) Essendon Royals, Australia
Katie Kitching (28/9) Sunderland AFC, England
Brooke Neary (debut) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Emma Pijnenburg (11/0) Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Gabi Rennie (47/2) Eskilstuna United DFF, Sweden
Alina Santos (3/0) University of Denver, USA
Malia Steinmetz (35/0) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (112/4) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Kate Taylor (32/3) Dijon FCO, France
Grace Wisnewski (7/0) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark

Ford Football Ferns head coach Michael Mayne said:

“Since qualifying, the focus has shifted fully to Brazil, and I am now looking at the next phase of planning to make sure we have covered every possibility, ensuring we have plenty of competition and players who are not only committed to the ambition I have for this team, but who are also in form and prepared to do what we have never done before at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.

“Firstly, I want to welcome Brooke and Mae to the Ferns for the first time.

“Mae is an exciting midfielder who we have been tracking for a while, and while she is new to our system, she is someone our technical team has followed closely, and we are looking forward to bringing her into the environment.

“Brooke has already been through our age-group system, is currently in camp with the U-20s in Australia, and has a U-20 World Cup selection opportunity coming up in the coming months, so the timing makes a lot of sense after an impressive April camp as a training player.

“It is also great to see Malia back after a long time out with injury, and Maggie return to the squad.

“Maggie is someone who hasn’t been involved for a while but has put in some really impressive performances recently, and we are keen to see her at this level as someone who is a genuine threat in front of goal when given the opportunity.

“These are two really good games for the team at this point in the cycle, so we are looking forward to getting over to Spain, continuing to push and progress what we do together, and challenging the group to put in two strong performances against the kinds of teams we will be looking to get results against at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

The Ford Football Ferns will face Haiti on Saturday 6 June, kicking off at 4am NZT (Friday 5 June at 6pm local time), before taking on Morocco four days later on Wednesday 10 June, again kicking off at 4am NZT (Tuesday 9 June at 6pm local time).

Both matches will be played at Nuevo Estadio El Maulí in Malaga, Spain.


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1 day ago
Terrible player stocks at the moment especially keepers 

Founder

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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History
Feverish wrote:
Terrible player stocks at the moment especially keepers 
I thought young Santos looked good on debut 2nd game against the Matildas, that's after Leat had been bad in the first match of that series.

Is Leat currently injured? How did she go for Newcastle in the ALW season?
Her career seems to be stalling.
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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History
coochiee wrote:
 Feverish wrote:
Terrible player stocks at the moment especially keepers 
I thought young Santos looked good on debut 2nd game against the Matildas, that's after Leat had been bad in the first match of that series.

Is Leat currently injured? How did she go for Newcastle in the ALW season?
Her career seems to be stalling.
Leat played first half of the season at the Jets and had a really high save rate. But was behind a pretty leaky defense.
Then she got injured at training. No details about the nature of the injury but hasn't been sighted since. 
I believe she has a history of concussion.....
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