Wow that's fantastic. I'll be happy if we can just snag a goal against the world champs.
Ill be happy if we dont kick off and then have all 10 outfield players run backwards to their own penalty area, like we did against Japan. I dont care how much better USA are, I want to see positive progressive football.
You could agrue of late the Ferns have had more funding than they deserve, via HPSNZ or whoever. They certainly play a lot more than the AWs, and since the Heraf saga seems like they have been well supported by NZF (Covid restrictions permitting).
Does anyone know what strip NZ will be in - white or black? Want to make sure our supporter colour scheme is right. That said, the heart is hoping for a competitive game but the head expects a bit of one-way traffic - hopefully not too dire. Big ups the the USA for the opportunity to see it played though - thanks!
Meanwhile, the US are expected to field a very strong side despite some of their best players missing the trip. Alex Morgan and captain Becky Sauerbrunn have both played over 200 internationals, while Trinity Rodman, the daughter of former Chicago Bulls NBA star Dennis Rodman, is expected to line up in the forwards.
The US haven’t had it all their own way lately, though. The back end of last year saw them lose three matches, against England and Spain in October and then Germany in November.
Abby is a proper pro. She wants things done in a serious manner and the team to have respect and to be respected. I don't think NZF posting training clips of the team having a dance party instead of actual training is something that floats her boat. You can totally understand her position. It's a changing environment...for the better? hmmm not so sure.
Abby is a proper pro. She wants things done in a serious manner and the team to have respect and to be respected. I don't think NZF posting training clips of the team having a dance party instead of actual training is something that floats her boat. You can totally understand her position. It's a changing environment...for the better? hmmm not so sure.
Erceg first made herself unavailable for the Ferns, due to a perceived lack of support from NZF (NZ Soccer). Back then it may have been before pay parity with the AWs, flying in Economy as opposed to the AWs in Business etc etc. I may have that wrong.
Then she dropped out in protest against Heraf. After Heraf was sacked and the respected Sermanni appointed (Ali Riley personally asked Sermanni to apply), NZF seemed to provide the Ferns with plenty of resources.
From memory with the training camp & OFC qualifying tourney immediately post Heraf's exit, and associated enquiry - they had mental skills people in camp etc etc, all to help the players move on from the messy Heraf saga. Remembering at that time there was rift in the camp, with some players actually supporting the Austrian's blunt language/defensive methods.
Since then (Covid travel restrictions etc notwithstanding) the Ferns seem to have been well supported by NZF, with certainly plenty of games - again noting no buildup prior Tokyo Olympics, as Covid made it extremely tough to get matches.
But I'd agrue the team going backwards is more to do with an average playing group, than lack of NZF support. There is no equivalent Wood, Thomas or Singh in the Ferns. Seemingly no young Cacaces, Bells, Garbetts or Stamenics either.
All the Ferns players in the best women's world leagues (Erceg, Riley, Stott, Percival, Bowen) have been defenders/defensive midfielders. That's mainly why the team is often a turgid route 1 watch, struggling to create much or score against the best teams. Anyway Erceg's retired. Time to move on.
Abby is a proper pro. She wants things done in a serious manner and the team to have respect and to be respected. I don't think NZF posting training clips of the team having a dance party instead of actual training is something that floats her boat. You can totally understand her position. It's a changing environment...for the better? hmmm not so sure.
you really do not have anything nice to say huh? Erceg had a list of reasons to leave, culture being one and that was on Heraf, the culture changes and the team what to show the fans they are enjoying what they are doing and your not happy with that? I totally understand that compared to the US team we look well off the pace in the physical/atheletic abillity, but lets not start cirticising players for enjoying the game.
I know her personally. I can tell you there's a difference between Heraf and expected best practise. The culture has gone from one extreme to the other. So keep coming at me in every thread Theprof, you make me laugh that's for sure. Although you thinking about me every day is getting a bit weird.
I'm looking forward to the game. I hope we go well and some players stand up against some of the worlds best! HPSZ and NZF throw a lot of money and resource at this team so we should have high expectations and demand professional players perform. Do i expect us to win? no. Do i expect us to be competitive? yes. Lets go Ferns!
I know her personally. I can tell you there's a difference between Heraf and expected best practise. The culture has gone from one extreme to the other. So keep coming at me in every thread Theprof, you make me laugh that's for sure. Although you thinking about me every day is getting a bit weird.
Posting dance videos on social media to entertain followers is not "extreme"
You could agrue of late the Ferns have had more funding than they deserve, via HPSNZ or whoever. They certainly play a lot more than the AWs, and since the Heraf saga seems like they have been well supported by NZF (Covid restrictions permitting).
Bullshark article by NZ Football who accept the governmental money and subsequent obligation to call the country Aotearoa let alone the silly made up names for world Cup venues. Pathetic,they are.
You could agrue of late the Ferns have had more funding than they deserve, via HPSNZ or whoever. They certainly play a lot more than the AWs, and since the Heraf saga seems like they have been well supported by NZF (Covid restrictions permitting).
Bullshark article by NZ Football who accept the governmental money and subsequent obligation to call the country Aotearoa let alone the silly made up names for world Cup venues. Pathetic,they are.
Of course not Don Brash. We couldn't possibly have a Maori name, could we?
Actually pretty excited for the Ferns game today, despite the imminent 3/4+ goal loss. First Ferns game for me, gotten the parents to their first NZF game as well, excited for the WWC
I know her personally. I can tell you there's a difference between Heraf and expected best practise. The culture has gone from one extreme to the other. So keep coming at me in every thread Theprof, you make me laugh that's for sure. Although you thinking about me every day is getting a bit weird.
not "coming at you" and I certainly don't think about you at any other time until I come on ehre and see some statement from you seems to start out in support and then you close out with some anti-whatever team's thread we're in statement. which I really find discouraging. Knowing a player is one thing, I wasn't having a go at you about what you said about her, it was the apparent dislike of the current atmosphere/culture in the team which I found odd?
You could agrue of late the Ferns have had more funding than they deserve, via HPSNZ or whoever. They certainly play a lot more than the AWs, and since the Heraf saga seems like they have been well supported by NZF (Covid restrictions permitting).
Bullshark article by NZ Football who accept the governmental money and subsequent obligation to call the country Aotearoa let alone the silly made up names for world Cup venues. Pathetic,they are.
That's a... weird article. Riley really said all the wrong things there to get people on her side in my opinion. How does the team being made up of independent, strong women automatically make them worth watching? Surely what they do on the pitch matters most.
Would like to see a bit more positivity, couple of times won the ball in the middle third and gone backwards and then invitin the press which was can't confidently play through. Better being a bit more exciting and attacking and losing the ball in their 3rd.
We are defending pretty good in two banks of 4. We've struggled to move into attacking transition though and giving away cheap ball too quickly. But defensively we look solid for large parts.
USA have been sloppy. Couple of poor players in their side. Quite surprised tbh.
I don't think we look close to scoring and they look a bit more likely but time will tell if we can hold them out.
Seems like a pretty slow pace from the USA, they definitely playing within themselves. Could unleash in the second half and exploit our defence aerially. But looking very good. Everyone is doing their bit. Impressed with Jale and Ward and Cleverly. A bit worried about the space in behind our centre mids in front of our defence. One pass bypasses our entire mid field there. Fingers crossed we can keep it up for another 45! Go Ferns!
The USA score. It was a nice goal, but I'm super unconvinced about Nayler... looks unstoppable at first glance the ball actually goes closer to the middle of the net than it seemed on first camera angle and she doesn't even move.
not a bad first 60, we've not really created much to worry the US but defended and kept the ball well in patches. Two classy piece of play in the build up of their goals, Levelle is a class above anyone we have. The first goal I didnt think Nayler had any chance, although she did look like she was playing statues. Second one she really needed to get her hands to it, dropping to her arse and hoping the feet would save her isnt great keeping.
As I type they get their third, great ball, splits the defenders and keeper has no chance.
The USA score. It was a nice goal, but I'm super unconvinced about Nayler... looks unstoppable at first glance the ball actually goes closer to the middle of the net than it seemed on first camera angle and she doesn't even move.
the problem I have with Nayler is that she never looks confident, even with their first "attempt" which literally dribbled towards the goal she looked panicked. You need composure as a keeper, and of course the basica ability to stop a shot. Which I've alsways doubted with her.
