Has the game started... i can't get any streams to work despite having links there.
Seems to be a healthy crowd there, more than what the Phoenix got last season
Woah red card (2 yellows) for the Japanese captain
Well, NZ struggled to turn healthy levels of possession into chances there. Let's hope there's enough defensive gaps in the second half to score a few goals.
Eight minutes left plus stoppage. Japan finally concede an equalizer. GAME ON!!
Full time 1-1. A great performance by both teams in trying conditions. NZ looked a little dangerous with the extra player in second half, the Japanese defended like a scared mongoose for most of the second half before finally cracking. Credit to all concerned because its raining sideways in Kyushu (where game was held) due to nearby typhoon. Well done Ferns
Excellent strike by Hannah Wilkinson at one point,well saved.Good result
COYN
girls played great. But why when you've decided to play a good possession based style of football would you have wilkinson in the side, aprt from that shot she had, she let the team down with her touch and passing, Can't understand why coaches think she should be starting. Also had be a little bewildered at the end, last play of game, space down the right, been dominating the whole game and we run the dam ball into the corner and try hold it up instead of pushing for another goal. Otherwise some great footy being played, very excited to see how we go in the next few years with a young team playing like that.
WORLD RANKING: Inside the top 20, two women's teams have reached highest ever ranking: @NZ_Football (19th, up 1), @ScottishFA (20th, up 1).
Tonight on @deakeronsport: We review the @AllBlacks series & we're joined by @aerceg5, captain of the @NZ_Football Ferns. 8:30pm LIVE, SS2.
Poor Abbey
Ferns have been playing some nice football, They have defiantly developed evolved tenfold in the last 6 years. There passing game was top stuff and you would have to praise NZF and the government for believing in the women's game to get it where it is atm. The grassroots system is starting to produce the goods. To get a ranking in the top 10 is hard, but I'm sure its achieve in time.
Would be nice to have a Kiwi side in the Westfield-League.
September 10, 2013
AUCKLAND – Tony Readings has named an 18-strong Football Ferns squad for the Valais Cup tournament in Switzerland, featuring Brazil, China and Mexico.
The squad is a mixture of established players and recent additions Elizabeth Milne and defender Meikayla Moore, capping a fine season with Coastal Spirit with her first senior call up. Moore is part of the Coastal Spirit team that has reached the ASB Women’s Knockout Cup Final.
“This group of players have been together for a long period of time now and their continued development together is important for the future success of the team,” said Tony Readings.
“There are a few less experienced players in the squad as we continue to give players opportunities to break into the team and strengthen the squad.”
The Football Ferns will be taking part in the first ever Valais Women’s Cup, along with Brazil, China and Mexico. Brazil are currently ranked 4th in the FIFA World Rankings, with China ranked 17th, and Mexico 24th. The Football Ferns are currently ranked 19th.
The opportunity to play the best teams in the world is an important step in the progression of the team for Readings.
“We have proved we can get results against some of the best teams in the world and the next step is to be able to do this on a consistent basis.”
“To progress to the latter stages of the pinnacle events we need to beat these teams. The more we play against them the more we learn how to do this.”
With many current Football Ferns now playing overseas, including captain Abby Erceg recently joining up with Ria Percival and Amber Hearn at USV Jenna, the opportunity to play in the top leagues is beneficial for the players development.
“The key for the team’s success is for players to be playing and training in the best possible environments. Playing professionally in the top leagues in the world can provide this as long as they are playing regularly.”
The Football Ferns will play Brazil on Monday 23 September at Stade de Lussy, Châtel-St-Denis and will face either China or Mexico on Thursday 26 September at Stade St-Germain, Savièse.
Football Ferns Squad
(Caps/Goals)
Goalkeepers
Erin NAYLOR (4/0)
Rebecca ROLLS (16/0)
Defenders
Abby ERCEG (85/4)
Anna GREEN (55/7)
Elizabeth MILNE (5/1)
Ria PERCIVAL (81/8)
Ali RILEY (72/1)
Rebekah STOTT (11/0)
Meikayla MOORE (0/0)
Midfielders
Betsy HASSETT (51/6)
Katie HOYLE (75/1)
Annalie LONGO (51/1)
Kirsty YALLOP (67/11)
Forwards
Helen COLLINS (6/0)
Sarah GREGORIUS (41/17)
Amber HEARN (72/32)
Rosie WHITE (46/9)
Hannah WILKINSON (45/14)
Valais Cup 2013 Schedule
Sunday 22 September 2013
China v Mexico
Stade de Lussy, Châtel-St-Denis
Kick off: 11:30pm NZT
Monday 23 September 2013
Brazil v New Zealand
Stade de Lussy, Châtel-St-Denis
Kick off: 2:30am NZT
Thursday 26 September 2013
3rd Place Match
Stade St-Germain, Savièse
Kick off: 12:30am (NZT)
Final
Stade St-Germain, Savièse
Kick off: 3:30am (NZT)
Shame about Rebecca Smith at Wolfsburg and her serious injury issues - missed the entire German season and obviously still not fit.
Anyone know of her state of fitness?
Ferns will miss her at the back...
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sarah Gregorius is seeing game time at Liverpool Ladies as they close in on the title for the first time in the club's history. She'll be racing back to Liverpool from Football Ferns duty in Switzerland for the title decider on 29/9/13 v. Bristol:
http://liverpoolladiesfans.blogspot.co.nz/2013_09_01_archive.html
Liverpool Ladies went into this game in pole position in the FA Women's Super League, 6 points from the final two games would see us crowned Champions of England for the first time...
... Liverpool continued to press and search for a fourth goal, Sarah Gregorius made her derby debut with 20 minutes to go, replacing Louise Fors. Gregorius was quickly thrown into the action - setting Da Costa up for a low hit hard drive that shot narrowly wide of the post....Big Pete 65, Christchurch
This one will stun you, Big Pete.
You won't see Bex playing for NZ anymore. Or anyone else for that matter. That blessed knee injury ultimately forced her to call time on her playing career.
However, she hasn't been lost to football - anything but! She has relocated to Zurich, where she now works as FIFA's Head of Women's Competitions, no less! :-)
Also connected to FIFA is Dr Michele Cox, who wears three hats - Director of Development Programmes and Marketing for the Asian Football Development Project; Master Moderator for UEFA; Performance Programme Consultant for FIFA.
And if you're wondering why Hayley Bowden (nee Moorwood) has been missing from the last couple of Football Ferns' squads, she is soon to become a Mum! :-)
Cheers,
JR
Wow!!! Thanks for that news Jeremy.
Often you're the only one who seems to know about these things.
That is a complete bombshell - and yet no news stories about it in the NZ media.
It's the equivalent of Ryan Nelsen retiring as a player in men's football - yet look at the difference in coverage i.e. lots vs. none at all.
Our greatest women's player for some years - and now suddenly gone. Nominated for FIFA Womens World Player of the Year 2007
74 A-internationals. Played for top German clubs Frankfurt and Wolfsburg and in Sweden and USA.
The only NZ women's player in history to have a website dedicated to her: http://bexsmithkiwi.com/
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
Friends in low places, my son! :-)
Seriously, given coverage of the NZ women's game has been priority one for me where football in this country is concerned for well over twenty years now, I'd be more than a tad disappointed if I didn't know about / wasn't aware of things of this nature. (Finding the time to do them justice is another issue entirely!)
There's been no coverage of Bex's move because, as mentioned before, she opted to quietly close one door in her life and open another. Nothing dramatic, nothing sensational ... all on her terms. And rightly so.
By the way, the website you quote is Bex's own website - that's why it's dedicated to her! :-)
Cheers,
JR
Three Football Ferns in action for USV Jena in Frauen Bundesliga, Germany 1-1 draw with champions Wolfsburg last weekend:
New Ferns captain Abby Erceg marshaled the defence at centre-back, whilst Percival and Hearn mentioned as prominent on attack:
Ferns fullback Ria Percival helped create the goal for Ferns striker Amber Hearn:
"... Percival got the ball to Arnold and finally to Lisa Seiler. The latter cross from the left into the box, where Hearn already lurking and directly in the goal placed - 1:1 (89 ')!"
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
What an incredible result this morning for the nation! 1-nil over Brazil and I heard that it was no fluke either, apparently it should've be 3-nil.
ALERT!!!
DAMN! NEVER NEW THE GAME WAS LIVE ON SKY THIS MORNING !!!
REPLAYS: SKY SPORT 1 - 4 PM TODAY
SKY SPORT 2 - 9.30 PM
Also this tournament is streaming on ESPN 3 on iSky if you're a Sky Sport subscriber.
FINAL v. CHINA: LIVE THURSDAY 3.35 AM - SKY SPORT 3
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
ALERT!!!
DAMN! NEVER NEW THE GAME WAS LIVE ON SKY THIS MORNING !!!
REPLAYS: SKY SPORT 1 - 4 PM TODAY
SKY SPORT 2 - 9.30 PM
Also this tournament is streaming on ESPN 3 on iSky if you're a Sky Sport subscriber.
FINAL v. CHINA: LIVE THURSDAY 3.35 AM - SKY SPORT 3
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
Great result and deserved the win - but a scrappy error-ridden game from both sides. Second half was better I thought.
The Ferns played better at the Olympics last year when losing v Brazil and England (well, were more attractive games to watch) - and am sure v China on Thurs. am will be a better game.
These games are good prep for playing the USA next month in two games (announced by Fred de Jong on TV One report below):
Highlights v Brazil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6ctEo5yAgtI
TV One News: http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/ferns-historic-brazil-win-video-5589488
Abby Erceg interview: http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2552&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=1efc0c6948
Leave your messages of support with the Ferns on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/footballferns
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
That seemed like a very narrow pitch
luckily they had trained at Cuthbert's before hand.
E's Flat Ah's Flat Too
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11130255
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9211299/Football-Ferns-smash-China-to-win-silverware
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Is Hannah Wall still involved?
Grumpy old bastard alert
Is Hannah Wall still involved?
I think it is ozil
Wall ain't involved. You can see her in capital NWL though.
Good to see the Ferns scoring goals
Founder
I think this highlights a huge issue in football in NZ at the moment. It may well be just huge as I see it so someone can help me out here if I totally have this ass about face.
I don't rate womans football. Don't like it, not a fan, does nothing for me. There, I said it. HOWEVER I do take an interest in the national teams and can name players and I respect what they are doing. Milicich said on Stuff or Herald that the woman's game has alignment and you can really see that from the girls coming through the u17s to 20s to seniors across the last 6 or so years. We talk about the investment in players at u17/20 but yet they may not kick on to the senior side for the men's game. On appearances it would seem that this is not the case in the women's game and they stick. Why? What do they do differently? How are they getting their success on (and I make an assumption) less cash invested.
I think the men's program (and I guess that falls to Fred feet and also Ricki as the current head of the men's team) really needs to sit up and look hard at itself and take some notes and lessons from the woman's program. I respect that what they do may not work on the men's side but at the very least, you cannot ignore it when they are getting results like they are. We are naïve to this that in a male dominated sport, that running the men's program its way (and I take only what I read from Milicich and see on the field to see there is not much alignment between teams, personnel and playing style) to suggest we have the answers. If replicating what the women do will give us results, we should be getting the women to run the men's program. At the end of the day, results tend to solve problems and I heard on the radio from Maia that they are funded from Higher Performance Sport NZ and results like this, ensure continued investment in their program. Results keep people on board and engaged, sponsors happy to see ROI and players buying into being part of something bigger.
Am I out of line here on this?
Grumpy old bastard alert
Ok. I actually have no idea so made an assumption that it was and also Milicichs rant too.
How are they getting the success Feverish vs the men's programme? I am completely clueless to women's football but they have to be doing something. Its can't just be luck. If we are doing the same, why is it going wrong in the men's programme?
Grumpy old bastard alert
The Under-20 women's team is basically the entire Under-17 side from the year previous. Is that the same in men's?