The Ford Football Ferns came into their April tour looking to bounce back from a series of disappointing results at home in February against Portugal and Argentina. 

Speaking ahead of the games in Turkey, where the team has travelled to play Iceland and Nigeria, head coach Jitka Klimková spoke of wanting her team to be gritty and united to get results in the final few games before the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Aotearoa this year. The first chance for the team to put the February’s results behind them came on Friday afternoon, or Saturday morning in New Zealand, at Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya. 

Klimková’s squad for this tour was boosted by the return of a number of key players who missed the previous window with injury. Three of these went straight into the starting XI with Vic Esson returning in goal, Rebekah Stott to central defence and Jacqui Hand up front. Michaela Foster was given her first Ford Football Ferns start as left back with Ali Riley on the right. 

The Ferns started on the front foot, with the better of possession and chances for the first 20 minutes. 

Momentum changed in the 27th minute. A long throw from Iceland found West Ham’s Dagný Brynjarsdóttir who flicked the ball into the net. The Ferns were slightly unfortunate as they were down to 10 players at the time with Hannah Wilkinson off the pitch getting treatment. 

But Iceland’s lead only lasted 7 minutes. Michaela Foster, dangerous from set pieces all game, took a corner and found Hannah Wilkinson’s head to power the ball into the net and level the game. 

 

The second half saw both teams continue to press for a winner but solid defensive performances kept the score at 1-1. 

With 5 minutes to go Wellington Phoenix’s Milly Clegg was given her Ford Football Ferns debut, likely the first of many caps for the impressive 17-year-old. 

After the game, head coach Jitka Klimková spoke of how proud she was of her team’s improved performance:

“I’m very, very happy about how we performed. It was solid from our team… We agreed as a team we want to be gritty and united in our defence and we could see that today during the game. If we perform this way we can have very positive outcomes. With a draw against Iceland I think this is very positive from our side.”

 

Starting XI 

Vic Esson, Katie Bowen, Michaela Foster, Ali Riley (77’ Grace Neville), Rebekah Stott (68’ Claudia Bunge), Olivia Chance (46’ Daisy Cleverley), Betsy Hassett, Grace Jale, Malia Steinmetz, Jacqui Hand (86’ Milly Clegg), Hannah Wilkinson (68’ Paige Satchell)

Final Score:

New Zealand 1 (34’ Hannah Wilkinson)
Iceland 1 (27’ Dagný Brynjarsdóttir)


Article added: Saturday 08 April 2023