Well they kind of showed why they're the South American champions...
Looking at FIFA's permutations it seems we still have a chance to make the knock-out stage as one of the four best third-placed teams if we beat Zambia on Sunday (mathematically at least, I don't know enough about the other contenders for those four spots to know if it's realistic). That would put us into the Ro16 against either the Group C winner (likely USA, slim chance of PRC) or the Group D winner (Canada or France).
Having the final group game on Sunday morning is an advantage to at least know what result is required, if there's still a chance to progress as a 3rd placed team.
Two draws from the 3 group matches (Costa Rica-Morocco, Samoa-Nigeria & Colombia-Korea Republic) which are all played beforehand would make the NZ-Zambia game one where the winner would progress without having to win by any necessary margin.
Was that Pugh's first goal for New Zealand? I know she wasn't called up for the OFC U16s this year, but I don't know what else she's done at international level.
Edit: After reading back a few pages in this thread I realise the answer to my question is a resounding no.
All is okay! They will play OFC under 16 tournament in a year or two, beat every team by 6 goals or more and they will do it all again 😊😊really needs to get out of OFC,especially in the women’s side of the game to develop.
Even though that was a tough result to end a tough campaign, I'm still proud of our girls for representing us on the world stage.
I know they went there to win just like any competitive sportspeople do, and they must be back at the hotel feeling really bummed out right now, but I hope that when some of them walk out as Ferns in the 2031 WWC this will be one of the amazing life experiences that led them there.
Defending Oceania champions New Zealand have learned their next steps to qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The two finalists at the eight-nation OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in September will qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is now an annual 24-team tournament.
The Oceania qualifying process will be in two stages:
A three-team qualifying series to be held in Papua New Guinea in April 2026, between American Samoa, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea. The winner will go into Group A at the Championship tournament.
The Championship tournament will be held in the Solomon Islands in September.
Group A Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Fiji, winners of qualifiers.
Held over the weekend of July 31-August 2, the ground hosted two games between the Talent Development Centres (TDC) of the Wellington Phoenix and their future women’s A-League rivals, Auckland FC.
As well as fielding men’s and women’s sides, A-League clubs are required to develop and promote an academy pathway for the next generation of players.
That’s been hugely successful for the Phoenix, and Auckland FC are keen to emulate them before they enter the women’s A-League for the 2027-28 season.
Auckland FC have been running their TDC since last year, and have a partnership scheme with regional clubs, including Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership clubs Auckland United, winners of last season’s women’s National League, and Waikato’s Melville United, who had three players in the weekend’s squad.
Main photo: Auckland FC’s TDC squad. Photo credit: Auckland FC.
Both NZ Football and FIFA are on board with this effort to boost the game, particularly in countries that are not yet competitive at the top level. This series had backing, support and interest from both organisations.
Game 1 of a two-game event took place on Friday night.
With nine of the current New Zealand U-17 players in their squad, Auckland came out firing against the Phoenix and took a 3-0 lead into the break. More settled in the second half, the home side got into the game; however, the visitors’ defence stood firm, and it ended 4-0 to Auckland.
Game 2 took place on a fine and wind-free Wellington Sunday, allowing the country’s future talent to showcase their skills before national U-17 women’s coach Alana Gunn.
Gunn valued the series for the chance to look closely at candidates for the team she will take to Morocco for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in October.
Playing each other under match conditions with the lure of a national team shirt gave the coach a much better picture of the players’ ability.
As in the opening game, Auckland controlled much of the possession from the start.Alesha Gray picks out another pinpoint pass for the Aucklanders. Photo credit: Warren Olson.
Alesha Gray, a former Young Matildas camp participant, showed she could be a worthy steal for New Zealand with some great runs and pinpoint passing from wing-back.
Phoenix defenders Louisa Egley-Turner and Maddie Sharkey were both kept busy but were well up to the task.
Auckland went 1-0 ahead when a corner deflected off Amelia Hancock’s shoulder and found its way into the net.
The second half saw much of the same and, though Auckland coach Emiliano Tade was ringing the changes to give all his squad time on the pitch their cohesion, passing and one-twos never faltered.
A rare error by Phoenix keeper Sophie Yeoman gifted the always-alert Morgan Day a second goal for the visitors.
The introduction of Jada Szeto to the Phoenix midfield helped them finally win some possession in that area, and Rosa Redfern began to look dangerous up front, but her opportunities were limited.
Hayley Pirihi came on for Auckland, showing a deft touch and vision that belied her age, and when Melville’s Mia Humphrey was introduced the Auckland attack looked even more dangerous.
From another slick passing move, Yeoman could only parry, and Day was first to react.
Her second goal gave Auckland a 3-0 win in an entertaining game played in great spirit and showing we are not lacking emerging talent.
The series is sure to have given Gunn plenty of food for thought as she looks to finalise her squad for the U-17 World Cup.
The squads
Wellington Phoenix
Addie Ferris Anahera Easton Cate Atkinson Charlotte Robinson Darcy Sutherland Eliza Vincent Elsie Sroufe Emmie Te Paea Gene Butler Evie Baird Florence George Jada Szeto Louisa Egley Turner Maddie Sharkey Rosa Redfern Ruby Barber Ruby Hale Sophie Yeoman Victoria George
Auckland FC
Emma Meadows Elin Gainsford Micaela Besley Alesha Gray Charlotte Fraser Mila Clark Lexi Hedington Eden Chaytor Madeline Dwyer Amelia Hitchcock Hayley Pirihi Bree Toatelegese Jessica Ellis Bonnie Rice Mia Humphrey Jessica Saunders Morgan Day Isla Robson
