Ford Football Ferns vs Chile

Saturday 23 September at 7pm [local] / Sunday 24 September at 11am [NZT]

Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida, Santiago, Chile

The Ford Football Ferns return to international action this Sunday [NZT] in their first game following the home FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

They face South American side Chile, for the first time at senior international level, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup themselves after losing to Haiti 1-2 in the Play-Off Tournament in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in February. 

La Roja Femenina are ranked 41 by FIFA and have a new coach in Luis Mena taking the team for just the second time. 

A technical team, largely built from powerhouse local club Colo-Colo with the addition of a few star players based in Europe, the Chileans should offer a real test, especially with home advantage at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida. 

 

What Jitka Klimková said: 

“I think it's an amazing opportunity for us. Usually we have clear game plan and this time, with Chile having a new coach, we have few plans. 

“We have plan A, if they play in a similar way to how we scouted them before the new coach. The tendencies of the players are absolutely the same, how technical they are and how they love to beat players 1v1. 

“And then there is plan B, where we know the tendency of the new coach that is now working with the team. 

“So we have both ways prepared, but the most important thing at the moment, to be honest, is the players enjoying the moment of playing together, enjoying the moment of being on the field again and that kind of mentality piece in this game is going to be one of the most critical pieces for us to be successful.”


Likely Team:

Klimková confirmed at the pre-match press conference that because of a number of the squad being in preseason, it is likely that certain players would have their playing minutes limited, meaning that the substitutes could play a significant role on Sunday. 


Opposition Player to Watch: Christiane Endler

Having a new head coach makes it difficult to predict a starting line-up, but there is no doubt that the first name on the team sheet is Champions League-winning Lyon goalkeeper, and Chile captain, Christiane Endler. 

98-cap Endler is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world so finding a way past her will be the biggest challenge for the Ferns on Sunday. 


Where to Watch: 

In Aotearoa New Zealand fans can watch the game live and free on FIFA+

FIFA+ is available on web, app and select smart TVs for free. 

Article added: Saturday 23 September 2023