Birnie had his side in a 4-4-2 formation with a clearly defined idea of what the best eleven looked like – with this specific line-up starting every game except for one (the third group stage game, when they rotated things around)....
As for building up from the back, maaaate. Anna Leat played literally one short pass all tournament. No goalie kicked the ball long more often than she did. They were direct. They were compact. There was almost no difference between their average shape in and out of possession.
It was this push and pull between ideals that led to Maya Hahn switching allegiances to Germany. Having been the standout player in qualifying, she only played 229 minutes at the World Cup itself, being predominantly used as a second half substitute for Macey Fraser. The two most technically gifted players in the group had to do a job-share. Can’t argue with the outcomes... but that stylistic disillusionment was one of the stated reasons for her decision (alongside her strong German heritage, better professional pathways, and other similarly valid personal reasons). That squad as initially named featured only domestically-based players, though at U17s level that’s entirely normal – it’s usually only after this when the pro/college offers begin to emerge. You could also see how diligently Birnie and his team had scouted the nation by the range of regions represented. Ten players were based in Auckland, although several had moved there for football reasons (such as Anna Leat of Arrowtown, Hannah Mackay-Wright of Nelson, Maggie Jenkins of Wellington, and Ayla Pratt of Tauranga). Six more came from the wider Canterbury region – including three from Waimakariri Utd (Macey Fraser, Jayda Stewart & Gabi Rennie) and one from Nelson Suburbs (Amelia Abbott). Only one was based in Wellington (Maya Hahn) back in those days before the Phoenix Academy... ironically six of this squad have since played for the Nix in the A-League Women’s. New Plymouth was also represented by Mackenzie Barry, while a trio of Hamilton Wanderers players flew the Waikato flag in Brown, Wisnewski, and backup keeper Georgia Candy.
International footy is going to be tough to acquire for (Maya) Hahn from here. The pandemic spoiled her best chance of that. Bottom line is that she hasn’t actually played competitively for Germany... maybe they’ll let her switch back? Times have changed since the 2018 World Cup. Klimková’s also got a decent record at recruiting dual internationals. Let us get the lawyers involved and see if it’s still possible.
Birnie had his side in a 4-4-2 formation with a clearly defined idea of what the best eleven looked like – with this specific line-up starting every game except for one (the third group stage game, when they rotated things around)....
As for building up from the back, maaaate. Anna Leat played literally one short pass all tournament. No goalie kicked the ball long more often than she did. They were direct. They were compact. There was almost no difference between their average shape in and out of possession.
It was this push and pull between ideals that led to Maya Hahn switching allegiances to Germany. Having been the standout player in qualifying, she only played 229 minutes at the World Cup itself, being predominantly used as a second half substitute for Macey Fraser. The two most technically gifted players in the group had to do a job-share. Can’t argue with the outcomes... but that stylistic disillusionment was one of the stated reasons for her decision (alongside her strong German heritage, better professional pathways, and other similarly valid personal reasons). That squad as initially named featured only domestically-based players, though at U17s level that’s entirely normal – it’s usually only after this when the pro/college offers begin to emerge. You could also see how diligently Birnie and his team had scouted the nation by the range of regions represented. Ten players were based in Auckland, although several had moved there for football reasons (such as Anna Leat of Arrowtown, Hannah Mackay-Wright of Nelson, Maggie Jenkins of Wellington, and Ayla Pratt of Tauranga). Six more came from the wider Canterbury region – including three from Waimakariri Utd (Macey Fraser, Jayda Stewart & Gabi Rennie) and one from Nelson Suburbs (Amelia Abbott). Only one was based in Wellington (Maya Hahn) back in those days before the Phoenix Academy... ironically six of this squad have since played for the Nix in the A-League Women’s. New Plymouth was also represented by Mackenzie Barry, while a trio of Hamilton Wanderers players flew the Waikato flag in Brown, Wisnewski, and backup keeper Georgia Candy.
