New Zealand 1-3 Venezuela
by Jonathon Hagger (1/6/25)
Above: Football Ferns star Annalie Longo (10) battles away against Venezuela yesterday. Photo: RNZ.
New Zealand began their two-match series against Venezuela in Marbella with a performance that new boss Michael Mayne described as “nowhere near” where they need to be.
Backdrop
The New Zealand Football Ferns secured another international series against South American opposition with two matches against a lower-ranked Venezuela. The Ferns squad assembled players located all across the globe to test their mettle against a team that is preparing to play in the Copa América Femenina against teams like Brazil.
For the Ferns, this was the first match under their newly appointed coach, who had been promoted from an interim role. The appointment of Michael Mayne ushers in a new period of football for the Ferns following a lengthy recruitment process.
While Mayne has held the interim head coach role for some months, there is a marked difference between being a caretaker and being the manager in terms of responsibility and accountability for results.
The Ferns squad was an interesting mixture of veterans and players in development. The two bookend players in the squad, being new mum Betsy Hassett and Vic Esson, both 34 years of age, bring an impressive amount of experience. At the other end of the scale, the Ferns have a strong group of young players who are performing well for their respective clubs. Players such as Milly Clegg and Kate Taylor, while young in age, have played a lot of top-level football.
The Venezuelan team, for whom there is not too much written about formally, included players from very well known teams and competitions. Including – the NWSL, Spain, Brazil and US College teams. Of particular interest to Ferns supporters, was the inclusion of Mariana Speckmaier. Formerly of Wellington Phoenix and now playing for Melbourne City in the A-Leagues competition, Speckmaier is a goal scoring ace.
Formations
In the previous friendly matches between the Football Ferns and Costa Rica, coach Mayne switched the more traditional playing formation being 4-4-2 to a more attacking 3-4-3. The Ferns started the match with this same formation.
Venezuela started the match with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Coach Ricardo Belli played a balanced approach with a very strong midfield.
The first half
Venezuela started the match and applied pressure all over the pitch. The speed and physicality of the players opened up space across the entire width of the pitch, giving them lots of room to work with.
The pace of the match was dictated entirely by the South Americans. The pressure applied constantly on the Ferns, smothered their game plan, resulting in the New Zealanders attempting to play passes over the top to break through.
The first goal scoring opportunity came in the fifteenth minute to Ferns attacker, Milly Clegg, resulting from a turnover of possession just outside the Venezuelan goal area. The ball fell kindly at the feet of Clegg, who unleashed a shot on goal that was palmed away by the goalkeeper Caceras.
It would be the Venezuelan team that drew first blood with a goal in the 24th minute. A defensive lapse by the New Zealand back four gifted Castellanos a shot on goal that bent beautifully to the left, just past the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper.
The vision of Ferns defender Kate Taylor created an opening for attack in the 29th minute, as she launched a long ball deep into the opposition’s half. Grace Neville’s accurate cross to Milly Clegg was directed at the goal however, the reflexes of Caceras once again saved the day.
The Ferns levelled in the 37th minute, as a result of Venezuelan defenders not clearing the ball from deep in their half. A turnover of possession due to sloppy passing, provided Katie Kitching with two shots on target. The first was saved but not held by Caceras, and the rebound was knocked into the back of the net.
Not to be outdone, the Venezuelan immediately struck back in the 40th minute. Quality passing amongst the midfielders sliced through the Ferns’ defensive setup, leaving a number stranded in space. Defender Romero took a shot from wide outside the goal area on the right-hand side, steered the ball past three New Zealand defenders standing static, and found the left-hand side of the goal.
The second half
The majority of the second half was a tough battle with neither team making many mistakes or turnovers. It was an arm wrestle through and through.
Ferns midfielder and veteran player, Annalie Longo, was given the ball in positions to shoot on a few occasions, but the speculative shots ultimately came to nothing.
In the 77th minute, Ferns defender Moore, gifted a free shot on goal after an errant pass that was seized upon by young talent, Herrera, but neither of the two attempts on goal went in.
The third goal for Venezuela was scored in the 85th minute as a pinpoint accurate shot taken by teenager Chirinos flew narrowly above the glove of Ferns goalkeeper Victoria Esson, and squeezed underneath the crossbar and into the net. A superb individual effort.
The remaining minutes of the match were played in a conservative manner by both teams as the final result appeared to be done and dusted.
Analysis
Venezuela came into the match with a clear strategy – place fast, apply pressure, be physical. Their team bonded well and played with good chemistry. With 60% of possession, the score line was a very fair reflection of the match.
The Football Ferns didn’t appear to have a clear-cut strategy, and that was evidenced by the score line. The early pressure that was applied on the New Zealanders rattled them, and it took quite a while for the team to work their way into the match. Uncharacteristic defensive lapses cost goals and lost the Ferns the match.
The coaches of each team will be having very different conversations with their players ahead of game two. Venezuela will be looking to do more of the same, whereas the Ferns really need to find their chemistry, particularly in the midfield and on the wings, if they want to be competitive.
Teams: NEW ZEALAND (3-4-3): Esson, Moore, Taylor, Bunge, Jale, Foster, Hahn, Neville, Longo, Clegg, Kitching. Substitutes: Elliot, Stott, Hand, Hassett, Brown, Pijnenburg.
Scorer: Kitching 38’.
VENEZUELA (4-2-3-1): Caceres, Romero, Herrera, Gimenez, Carrasco, Rodriguez, Garcia, Viso, Castellanos, Speckmaier, Grarecuco. Substitutes: Apostol, Chirinos, Herrera, Altuve, Olivieri, Rodriguez.
Scorers: Castellanos 25’, Romero 40’, Chirinos 80’.
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