by Denise Duffy and Jonathon Hagger
Above: New Zealand celebrate qualifying for the Olympics after beating the Soloman Islands 11-1. Photo: New Zealand Football.
The New Zealand Football Ferns face multiple challenges both off and on the pitch entering the Olympics. Head coach Jitka Klimková has opted to stand aside with assistant coach Michael Mayne taking her place.
The Ferns are in Group A and will face tough opposition in second-ranked France, eighth-ranked Canada, and 22nd-ranked Colombia.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Victoria Esson, Anna Leat.
Defenders: Ali Riley, Rebekah Stott, Meikayla Moore, CJ Bott, Mackenzie Barry, Ally Green, Kate Taylor.
Midfielders: Katie Bowen, Grace Jale, Malia Steinmetz, Katie Kitching, Milly Clegg, Macey Fraser.
Forwards: Jacqui Hand, Gabi Rennie, Indiah-Paige Riley.
Alternate Players (can only be called up if any players above are injured): Claudia Bunge (DF), Michaela Foster (DF), Annalie Longo (MF), and Murphy Sheaff (GK).
Head Coach
Previous head coach Jitka Klimková, recently announced her decision to withdraw from the role of coach of the team for this Olympics campaign. Following the conclusion of an independent workplace investigation, which cleared Klimková to lead the team at Paris 2024, she has decided, in consultation with New Zealand Football, that it is not the right time for her to return.
This decision is based on concerns about the team environment, her well-being, and an incomplete restorative process. Essentially, Klimková, who has a signed contract through until 2027, is removing herself from this specific tournament.
A leadership change so close to the Olympics is not a great look for the Football Ferns. It will no doubt have an impact on the team. However, Assistant Coach Michael Mayne is a familiar figure in New Zealand football, rising through domestic competitions and contributing to the Under 17s’ achievement of bronze at the World Cup, followed by involvement with the Under 20s.
Olympics History
The Ferns have competed in the Olympic tournament five times. They reached the quarter-finals only once in the 2012 London Games.
How they qualified
New Zealand qualified through the eight-team Oceania Football Confederation. The tournament was played in February. They beat the Solomon Islands in the decider 11-1.
Strengths
An internationally experienced backline is the key strength of the Ferns and may keep the team in contention for qualifying for the knockout stages. Quality decision-making is core to defensive success, and with the leadership of veterans Ali Riley, Rebekah Stott, and centre-back Katie Bowen, there is an established cohesiveness.
The Football Ferns are expected to continue with a similar playing strategy as seen under Klimkova, emphasizing counter-attack football and leveraging the speed of their wing players
Development areas
Success at the Olympics requires a solid attack. The Ferns’ top priority is finding a player who can consistently score goals and a midfield that supplies them with deft passes.
While some of the New Zealand squad have scored plenty for their club sides, they haven’t been able to replicate that success at the national team level. Indiah Paige-Riley, a prolific goal scorer for her top-tier club PSV Vrouwen in the Netherlands, has yet to become a consistent goal scorer for the Ferns. Jacqui Hand became a fan favourite after her strong showing in build-up matches before the World Cup, however, goals in the international matches that really count are yet to come.
If the Ferns are to progress from the group stage, a focus on chemistry and teamwork is essential. They are not a team of superstars. They have demonstrated a habit of fading away in matches, particularly during physically demanding periods of play such as the ending of halves. Being mentally tough, reducing errors, and creativity while in possession are all vital components of a successful New Zealand team.
One of the biggest challenges is getting the working parts of the midfield right. Go-to player Grace Jale has dropped deeper on the pitch in her wing position, while the evolution of Kate Taylor from central defender to holding midfielder is starting to yield positive results. With Betsey Hassett absent due to pregnancy and Liv Chance a new mum, Malia Steinmetz and her fellow midfielders will have a lot on their plate.
Key Players
The Olympic tournament is fast and gruelling. With matches every three days and little recovery time, many teams have gone with flexibility, youth, and speed in their lineups. The Ferns need to match this and have notably decided to leave the hero of the 2023 Women’s World Cup Hannah Wilkinson off their roster. A tough decision, and probably the right one.
For success in the tournament to happen, the Ferns will need the creativity of outside back CJ Bott and forward Jacqui Hand to fire. Bott has a dynamic style of play where she moves the ball forward with pace and shoots with precision. If the midfield can provide Hand with space on counterattacks, her speed will create chaos for defenders creating opportunities in front of the net.
One to watch
In a recent warm-up series against seventh-ranked Japan, 18-year-old Milly Clegg, currently playing professionally with Racing Louisville in the NWSL, showcased some moments of brilliance. Her ability and physical presence opened up space as she drove past Japanese defender Hana Takahashi, leading to a right-footed inside shot blasting the ball past goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
In an interview with Impetus, Clegg described herself as “quite an instinctive player,” reflecting on her goal: “I was just like, doing what I thought was right at the time, and it just kind of happened naturally. But when I saw it go on the back of the net, I was relieved. I was super excited. Yeah, I feel like I’ve been waiting for something like that for a long time now.”
During that match, they held Japan to a 1-0 scoreline in the first half, showing the skill and tenacity that they can compete against the world’s best.
“I think we even saw that in the first half of the Japan game. Obviously, we didn’t carry it out in the second half. But I think we have learned so much from that. I think we’ve got the belief that we can get results in this Olympics. I think that’s the goal. Trying to get wins and get out of the group would be the dream,” Clegg continued.
Regarding their prospects in the group stages, Clegg emphasized, “The goal is always to get out of the group and win games. I think if we are on, on the day, we can do anything. Like we saw in the Norway game (at the World Cup), we were all so switched on and really bought into the fact that we had to win that game. So I think if we all bring that mindset, which I definitely think we can do, we can then do well.”
Success would be
Advancing from the group stage to the quarter-finals would satisfy the team, fans, and national federation. Given the quality of teams in this tournament, that would be a very good outcome.
Prediction
While the Ferns were able to stun Norway in their opening match of the 2023 World Cup, we wonder if this time around they have the needed cohesion, creativity, and firepower to repeat such a feat. In their way will be host nation France, most recent Olympic gold medalists Canada, and World Cup quarter-finalist Colombia. These are all formidable opponents.
Fixtures
26th July: Canada v New Zealand, 5pm, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne.
29th July: New Zealand v Colombia, 5pm, Groupama Stadium, Lyon.
1st August: New Zealand v France, 9pm, Groupama Stadium, Lyon.
All kick-off times are French time.
Missed any of Impetus’ other Olympic Nation Guides? Catch up by clicking below!
CANADA: https://impetusfootball.org/2024/07/13/olympics-preview-canada-2/
FRANCE: https://impetusfootball.org/2024/07/14/olympics-preview-france/
COLOMBIA: https://impetusfootball.org/2024/07/15/olympics-preview-colombia/
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Facebook: @impetuswomensfootball Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 