Ford Football Ferns vs Japan: Game 1

Saturday 1 June - KO 2am NZT

Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia, Spain

Watch live and free on FIFA+

The Ford Football Ferns play their last international friendlies before the squad is selected for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. 

Their opponents are the world number 7 who reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, winning over heaps of fans with their controlled passing style of play. 

The Ferns are on a seven-game unbeaten run but the Japanese will be a tough test to prepare the team ahead the highly ranked sides they will face in France. 

The Ferns have a full strength squad for this window but are missing head coach Jitka Klimková after she opted to take a leave of absence for this tour. 


Likely Team:

Acting head coach Michael Mayne will have his full squad to choose from excluding midfielder Macey Fraser who has returned to her new NWSL club Utah Royals for personal reasons. 

Young forward Milly Clegg is back with the Ferns for the first time in 2024 after recovering from injury so will be keen to get back on the pitch after her rapid rise up through the age group ranks.  

 

Acting head coach Michael Mayne on leading the side for this tour in the absence so Jitka Klimková: 

I don't think it's one where we can avoid what's going on but I think the players are handing themselves extremely well given the circumstances and everything I'm seeing around, staying focused on the detail of the game and being prepared.

I can't fault them at this stage, they're doing a good job.


Player to Watch: Yui Hasegawa

Manchester City’s Yui Hasegawa is one of the most experienced players in a very strong squad that impressed in Aotearoa during the FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The 27-year-old midfielder can operate across the midfield, both defensively and in attack as proven by her 18 goals at senior international level.  


Where to Watch: 

Watch the match live and free on FIFA+ and on TVNZ Duke

Article added: Friday 31 May 2024