Yipe the Matildas have been struggling results wise post the WWC. Latest rankings they fell 3 spots to 15th. Main reason it seems that Tony Gustavsson left by 'mutual consent', after 4 years in charge. Lets not forget their tailswoman and big world class Sam Kerr star has been out for awhile now with her ACL injury.
But at the same time they have drawn some amazing crowds post the WWC. Against China this year, 53,000 at Adelaide & 76,000 in Sydney. So yeah Bonnie Jansen is correct lots of visible buzz around the Matildas post their run to the semis last year. But that will tail off, if the wins don't come again.
Aussie host the next Asian Cup Womens in 2026, so if the Matildas go on a run to the final in that, there will be a whole new wave of Tillies fever.
But yeah back to the question, have NZF squandered the momentum of last year's WWC? Yes and No.
Appointing Klimkova to such a long contract clearly bad judgement. But also the Ferns just ain't that good, and rarely an exciting watch (the win over Norway looks more & more like an outlier). Plus getting big name teams down to NZ for friendlies has always been tough.
Hopefully NZF can entice some of Japan, China or either Korea to Aotearoa for some pre Asian Cup friendlies in 2026.
But at the same time they have drawn some amazing crowds post the WWC. Against China this year, 53,000 at Adelaide & 76,000 in Sydney. So yeah Bonnie Jansen is correct lots of visible buzz around the Matildas post their run to the semis last year. But that will tail off, if the wins don't come again.
Aussie host the next Asian Cup Womens in 2026, so if the Matildas go on a run to the final in that, there will be a whole new wave of Tillies fever.
But yeah back to the question, have NZF squandered the momentum of last year's WWC? Yes and No.
Appointing Klimkova to such a long contract clearly bad judgement. But also the Ferns just ain't that good, and rarely an exciting watch (the win over Norway looks more & more like an outlier). Plus getting big name teams down to NZ for friendlies has always been tough.
Hopefully NZF can entice some of Japan, China or either Korea to Aotearoa for some pre Asian Cup friendlies in 2026.