I just watched the highlights of the game last night and Wilkinson had a good chance to shoot after being fed by Bowen, Liv Chance had a great opportunity to score but hit it straight at the keeper, and then there was the shot from Jale that was goal bound but hit Chance. She had a couple of other shots that were just wide, plus scored the goal where it was called by VAR offside. Jale put in a great cross after Steinmetz through ball, which their centre back intercepted and might have been ruled a pass back in another game. If Bowen had cleared that ball earlier- which I’m sure in hindsight she wished she had, then it could have been a draw or a win on another day.
Clegg wouldn’t have any problem stepping up to the Ferns, she already has significant experience at international tournaments, and she has been brought up in an environment where that was normal. If she can handle the pressure that is up to her to prove. Also from what we’ve seen these last couple of internationals are at the same level as a ALW all stars team. Hannah Keane from Western would score goals at this level, the quick winger from Roar would cause team’s problems with her pace. And when Foster played her first minutes, she wasn’t shown up.
Liv Chance looks like our most likely source of goals- she cracked a great shot against Korea. Maybe she can play as a ten behind Wilkinson and hit some goals from outside the box.
If we looked at a potential first 11 for the next WWC cycle, with the 100 cap players retired, and kept some European players.
Clegg
Chance Whinham Jale
Wisnewski Steinmetz
Foster Bowen Barry Bott
Leat
Our European based players that are playing at the highest level are Bott and Leat in the WSL no one is playing in the states asides from Ali Riley. It seems that the Scottish league and second division in the UK are at a similar level- crowds of a few hundred people. And the Finland and Norwegian area leagues are they that much better than the ALW top 4 teams? Hasset played there and has looked great on occasions in ALW and other times anonymous.
Bev Preistman - coaching the Canadian women’s team was in the staff of John Herdman for years, she followed him from NZ to Canada, did she have success in her own right before Herdman switched to the men’s side and she took over the women’s team? Having Christine Sinclair and other world class players makes it heaps easier to get results. In that situation, maybe Klitka might have the same success.
When we reached the men’s World Cup in South Africa we had some gritty defenders, a decent A league level keeper, grafter mid fielders like Simon Elliot, and tall Wilkinson style forwards. Bertos was hot and cold and we experimented with different formations and then ended up as the only team undefeated instead of going for a winner in that last game. Herbert arguably got the best out of the group of players we had at the time. I think a reality check is needed.
If you compare the Auckland Knights to Talays Nix it has taken years of work to get to that level and Seripisos helped to keep them alive. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that same last ditch effort to keep the Nix women’s team around after the NZF support is stopped. But just like we have the likes of Joe Bell and Elliot and Carace coming through that would have raised the technical level of Herbert’s All Whites, and Nix the current crop of female players in the Ferns and at ALW are pretty much back in the Auckland Knights stage of their development and playing levels. In 15 years time we will have seen a massive improvement in the women’s game and I can’t wait to see what level they can get to. Will Clegg be able to retire and sit on her millions like Ryan Nelson can?
