The Ford Football Ferns got their SheBelieves Cup campaign underway in California this afternoon (Friday 18 February NZ) against the 16th FIFA-ranked side Iceland.

The tournament, also featuring the USA and Czech Republic, gives the Ferns a rare chance to mirror the FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage by facing three different teams, in two different cities, in over a packed seven day schedule. Ahead of the tournament in 2023, Head Coach Jitka Klimkovà was keen to stress the importance of pushing the team when having to play games back to back as they will when the FIFA Women’s World Cup comes to Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Ferns team saw experience return in spades as the combined 244 caps of Hannah Wilkinson and Abby Erceg were back in the starting line-up. The bench saw a welcome addition that transcends football as Rebekah Stott, just under a year after having to quit the game following her diagnoses of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, was back in a New Zealand shirt.

The game got off to a tough start. West Ham United's Dagný Brynjarsdóttir had the ball in the net within the first 45 seconds after confusion at the back from an Iceland corner saw the Ferns struggle to clear their lines. The defender had an easy finish from close range to make it 1-0.

Shortly after there was another chance for the Icelandic side. A throw-in from deep was flicked on but cleared off the line by Meikayla Moore.

The Ferns grew into the game in the rest of the half after a difficult first period but struggled to properly penetrate the Iceland defence, meaning it stayed 1-0 at the break.

The second half started brighter as the more direct approach of the team pressured the Icelanders. Paige Satchell tested the keeper from range as the Ferns carved out a number openings.

The 74th minute saw arguably the most significant moment of the game as Rebekah Stott returned to the pitch, replacing Daisy Cleverley. Stott vowed when she had to leave the game after her diagnosis of Stage Three Hodgkins lymphoma that she would be back wearing the fern - and a year later in Los Angeles she fulfilled her goal. 

The final 10 minutes saw chances for both teams with CJ Bott hitting the side netting in the dying seconds, searching for an equaliser that unfortunately didn’t come.

Iceland claimed all three points in the first game of the SheBelieves Cup. Next up for the Ford Football Ferns: the hosts, USA.

Iceland 1 (Brynjarsdóttir, 1')

Ford Football Ferns 0

 
Article added: Friday 18 February 2022