Football Ferns vs South Korea: Back Home, Still Building
We didn’t get the wins that we were hoping for. Instead we got a 1-0 loss followed by a 1-1 draw in the two-game series against South Korea in Christchurch. The Ferns only just lost the first match, finishing strong but being unable to put one away, then they drew the second thanks in part to a late penalty save from Vic Esson but also thanks to some pretty impressive defending throughout a tough second half (and a consequential goal for Liv Chance which we’ll come back to soon enough). But you know what? Put aside the friskiness about the Ferns goal-scoring and World Cup preparation for a second... and that’s a pretty decent outcome.
Surely we all know the pattern by now. Anyone who reads The Niche Cache must know the pattern by now. When the Football Ferns play teams around those top-10 rankings they tend to lose heavily. When they play teams in that 11-20 range they usually lose but usually by more flattering scorelines. Then when they play teams who, like themselves, are situated outside that top-20 they actually do extremely well. Haven’t lost to a team outside the top-20 under Jitka Klimková’s coaching – two wins and two draws.
South Korea are in that middle tier... so a close defeat and a scratchy draw ain’t bad. Not bad at all. Not as good as it could have been and that’s the journey that the Ferns are embarking on, trying to turn close defeats into draws and scratchy draws into wins. But definitely not bad.
Initially the plan was for this post-Korea yarn to go forensic on the Footy Ferns attacking structures. Break down the ways in which they’re seeking to score goals, looking at the tactics and the players employed. Yet after watching the games unfold that doesn’t really feel possible. Partly because they didn’t create enough chances for patterns to shine through, plus what they did create mostly had to do with one player (big ups to Livvy Chance). Also partly because this wasn’t exactly the Ferns at full strength.
It’s frustrating because the Footy Ferns are preparing for a World Cup, trying to figure out solutions to a couple very difficult puzzles, and can’t really achieve those things when they’re missing so many players. You’re almost always going to be without a few folks in these international windows but what we had here went beyond normality. No Ria Percival, no Abby Erceg, no Ali Riley, no CJ Bott, no Hannah Wilkinson, no Annalie Longo, no Rebekah Stott, no Jacqui Hand... that’s pretty ruthless for a team that obviously does not have the depth that more populated nations can call upon.
One consequence of that was a back four in which three-quarters of them seemed to be playing out of position. Meikayla Moore on the right. Liz Anton on the left. Katie Bowen and Claudia Bunge in the middle. Now, that’s not entirely fair because none of them are unfamiliar with those positions. Moore played quite a bit of right back for Liverpool, even getting some defensive midfield outings with them (though at Glasgow City she appears to be a CB specialist again). Anton’s played enough fullback to know what’s up... particularly with the Ferns in recent times. These days she’s very much a centre-back with Perth Glory but including these two games she’s actually started five of the last seven Ferns games at LB.
And while Katie Bowen is best in the midfield where her crossing game can be a real asset going forwards... she did just spend the whole NWSL season training (not playing much, but always training) as the back-up CB for North Carolina Courage behind Abby Erceg. If you’re gonna learn from anyone, your long time national teammate and one of the best defenders on the planet is a pretty useful mentor. Particularly if there’s a good chance the national team coach is looking at you as her direct replacement. Having said that, Bowen’s almost certainly gonna be unleashed in the midfield for Melbourne City.
Klimková’s 4-CB backlines aren’t the most exciting sights... but gotta be honest, they defended very well, avoiding the overly narrow shape that we’ve seen from similar line-ups in the past. Plus it’s not like this is Plan A for JK. There are two world class fullback specialists who’ll be starting when they’re fit and available in CJ Bott and Ali Riley, each playing good minutes in one of the top leagues on the planet (Bott at Leicester City in England, Riley at Angel City in USA). Bit stink for genuine left-backs Ally Green and Ashleigh Ward (and Anna Green who is as good at LB as she is at CB) to miss out... but none of those three have played much club footy recently and it might also simply be that Klimková thinks Liz Anton is better? Because Liz Anton is pretty good, let’s get that straight.
The other problem with the 4-CB thing is that they don’t offer enough going forward thus ripping out one more page from an already limited attacking hymn-book. In the first game we did see the Ferns get their fullbacks high to start with... but crosses from both Anton and Moore lacked the desired accuracy. Then after those initial stages it never really happened again all series. The Ferns couldn’t hold possession for long enough spells to allow the fullbacks to advance and neither of those two are fast enough to do the give-and-go up the sideline themselves.
Attacking from wide areas has been a focus for Klimková yet there wasn’t much of that going on in these games. Almost all the decent moves that the Ferns mustered against the Koreans came from runners in transition. Counter-attacking exploits. Paige Satchell is always handy for those, a willing runner whose speed makes her a threat to any defender. Satchell only played the first half of each game though, probably a case of managing her work-load ahead of the A-League season (she had minor heart surgery in the offseason – remember her getting treatment for an irregular heartbeat during the games vs Aussie earlier in the year). Satchell did still have a couple of those instances... and so did Gabi Rennie.
There was one in each game where Rennie burst through the defensive line. Game one she tried to chip a cross towards the back post. Game two she carried the ball all the way into the penalty area but was off balance by the time she shot and didn’t get the required power behind it. Rennie’s Canterbury United days were full of her breaking offside traps so it’s a move that’s in her bag. But Rennie’s still at uni in America and Satchell has never been a regular starter at club level like she is internationally. They’re both having to develop their games at the top level which means there are going to be aspects where they’re not as sharp as they need to be. It’s not their fault, it’s a symptom of NZ’s limited attacking depth that they were thrust into roles beyond what they’re initially ready for.
There was another useful attacking outlet, come to think of it. The outlet which led to the goal that they scored in the second game... and that was Korean mistakes. In game one there was a pass intended for a centre-back that was played back from the left wing. That pass dissected both CBs and Liv Chance pounced upon it but shot slightly wide. Huge opportunity and she knew it. Game one also saw instances of both Satchell and Rennie running into open spaces after their defenders had slipped over.
Then in game two a giveaway at the back led to Rennie stealing possession just outside the area. She couldn’t beat the keeper with her shot but Liv Chance was lurking to smash in the seconds. It was a goal that seemed to come out of nothing yet that’s not strictly true. The Ferns have been much more of a pressing team in the Klimková era, which has been great to see. It’s been less notable since Ria Percival got injured - one of the best pressers in world football, ask a Spurs fan and they’ll confirm it. However they’re still lurking, still hunting. You can’t account for opposition mistakes but you can ensure you’re switched on and ready to take advantage of them.
That goal is quite a useful example of this wider attacking situation. When Rennie gets the ball, the keeper’s out pretty quickly to try shut her down and it looks like Rennie doesn’t initially want to shoot (and there was an opportunity to do so straight away before the keeper got set). She only reluctantly does so because Satchell pushes too far forward and cuts off the angle for a square pass which would have taken the keeper out of the play entirely. Rennie then couldn’t squeeze it through and a great opportunity went begging... until Liv Chance popped up with a mean finish. Good but not good enough from the youngsters then Liv Chance came to the rescue.
Think back to the big moments in the first game and you’re mostly thinking of Olivia Chance. There was that intercept where she pinged it past the post. There was the one late on where she stole a blocked clearance in the area then dropped a dummy to beat one defender, another to beat another, then struck her effort off the post (possibly with a slight guiding touch from the keeper). Then also that Jale pass in behind which the goalie smothered a split-second before Chance could get there. Plus a right-footed shot from slightly inside the box though that one was saved.
It was Liv Chance who set up both goals when the Ferns unexpectedly beat South Korea a year ago. It was Liv Chance who was responsible for all the best moments in game one (there was also an Indi Riley side-foot volley over the top but the rest was all up to Chance, so to speak). It was Liv Chance who scored the goal in game two, ruthlessly burying that thing after the two strikers had initially failed to take advantage. Liv Chance has been by far the most creative player in this team for a couple of years now, to the point where if it’s not her making things happen then it’s probably nobody. That’s not ideal... but at least there’s her.
Hence it’s pretty massive that Chance scored that goal... because that was only her second international goal in 37 caps. Admittedly she’s played a lot of those games in midfield, especially early on, but when you’re the most creative player in the squad it helps to be scoring them as well. Get that rhythm going. Boost the confidence. Often a bit of rhythm and confidence is the difference between a late shot striking the post or nestling in the net.
Emma Rolston started the first game but only lasted fifteen minutes before having to come off injured. She’s had some recurring back worries so that was a precaution taken in light of the upcoming A-League season. Grace Jale replaced her up front. However Jale was moved out to the right wing to start game two with Gabi Rennie (who came on for Satchell at HT of G1) beginning up top instead. Meanwhile Indi Riley started game one and came off the bench in game two. Ava Collins featured in both games as a sub.
That tells you a lot about what this Aotearoa front four was up to. Over 180 total minutes, we saw seven different players feature in those four positions: Liv Chance (180 mins), Grace Jale (165), Gabi Rennie (120), Indi Riley (112), Paige Satchell (90), Ava Collins (38), and Emma Rolston (15). Good to see Jale featuring prominently as she’s the player there, not including Chance, who feels like she can offer the most immediate impact. Like a lot of these players, a strong A-League campaign will reinforce her status.
But otherwise it was more evidence for anyone who wants to critique Hannah Wilkinson’s goal scoring ratio that there is nobody better and certainly nobody more established than her for that starting striker’s spot. Jacqui Hand was a low key loss as well given that she’s shown some Liv Chance style tendencies for her club team in Finland. Great news that the injury she sustained in training isn’t going to require surgery and she should be back on the pitch by January. Her club is in their offseason and there are no Ferns games between now and then anyway.
There are a few bolter options who could change things up. The next time the Ferns play is against the USA in January for those annoying non-international-window fixtures. Natalie Lawrence has promised to be flexible with releasing some of her Wellington Phoenix players but it’s unlikely that too many overseas clubs will feel the same way. That might be a blessing in disguise if it means that players such as Alyssa Whinham, Michaela Robertson, Michaela Foster, Marisa van der Meer, or even Milly Clegg are suddenly thrust into the national team. Whinham and Clegg especially. They’re both still so young but they offer something unique compared to the rest of the squad. They’re going to be regular Ferns starters eventually... just a matter of how soon it happens. Wouldn’t want to dip any deeper into the Aotearoa footballing ranks but if necessary a few of the recent U20 World Cup players would be the emergency option.
So as much as we were hoping to see some progress on the ol’ goal scoring front... that didn’t really happen. It wasn’t ever likely to happen considering the players that were missing. Also not really convinced that 4-4-2 is the best shape for this team when they’re in possession, 4-3-3 with a central playmaker (Liv Chance... or maybe Whinham?) would work a lot better in terms of providing passing options and getting numbers forward. But realistically whatever shape they played in these games wouldn’t have made a difference.
There is a very important point to keep in mind while we’re all debating these attacking conundrums and that’s that this team is never going to be a side that wins games 4-3. The strength of the squad is in the defensive areas and that has to remain at the core of any Football Ferns identity. Add in a few more creative outlets, try find some additional flair... but don’t forget that the Ferns aren’t going to do anything if they lose that fierceness, that physicality, and that excessive work ethic which they’re known for.
Even though one goal in 180 minutes wasn’t what we were hoping for, all those other things were still on full display. Admittedly the goal that the Ferns conceded in the first game was a bit sloppy. Liz Anton got beaten at the byline after failing to make a clearance and Hyo-Joo Choo was able to cut the ball back to Lee Min-A who’s ghosting run into the area caught Malia Steinmetz unawares until it was too late. The goal in game two was more unusual, a long shot which was flicked cleverly home by Ye-Eun Park. Steinmetz might have gotten tighter but so it goes. No blatant error there, just one of those things that can happen during the course of a footy game.
Otherwise the Ferns defended like champs. They were aggressive in the challenge and won a lot of headers. Made sure they stayed tight to their marks. Okay, South Korea’s finishing wasn’t as clinical as it could have been... but that’s why they’re a top-20 team and not a top-10 team.
A side like New Zealand has to ride their luck to a certain extent against stronger teams. There were plenty of instances where a slightly better shot from Korea would have condemned the Ferns to defeat. The second half of game two in particular, massive pressure that entire way and on another day that might’ve resulted in a 3-1 loss. The Ferns can’t hope to control everything against higher-ranked opponents, there will be times when defenders are beaten and left begging the gods for a bit of divine intervention. But they’ve got some brave defenders with tidy organisation and an outstanding shot-stopping goalkeeper.
That goes a long way. That, right there, is why the Football Ferns don’t need to become the USA smacking 5+ goals past all challengers. They only need to get a little bit sharper in attack because they know that one or two goals is going to be enough for a positive result in most games they play.
There’s another factor at play here too. This was the first time that the Ferns have had a home fixture for four and a half years – these games taking place in Christchurch as a peace offering after the Garden City didn’t get any World Cup matches. Crowds of around 5k and 3k weren’t as high as they could have been, especially considering that large portions of the crowd appeared to be supporting Korea (shout out to the Korean Society of Christchurch for a fantastic atmosphere). But that’s fine because this was the start of something, not the end.
There is a swelling on the horizon, a wave getting ready to crash into our shores when the World Cup happens here next year. It honestly feels like the majority of the nation still doesn’t realise the significance of that. There is no bigger exclusive women’s sporting event than the FIFA World Cup. And it’s not only the Ferns helping build up the hype, the Wellington Phoenix’s first ALW season with home games is going to do plenty of heavy lifting too. There are great vibes around women’s sport thanks to the Black Ferns. Now to direct that energy beyond the realms of rugby and get some hectic crowds to the Nix and to the Fernies.
The first steps along that pathway were made in Christchurch over the past week – not only at the games but also with a lot of the community work that the Ferns were able to do, getting amongst the public and building up their profiles. There’s gotta be that personable connection with fans as well as the sporting connection. The more that happens, the bigger the crowds will be. The more home games, the bigger the crowds will be. The bigger the crowds, the more vocal the support. You can bet that NZF and the Welly Nix will be trying to drum up that support but why leave it up to the marketing departments? You love football. I love football. Let’s do it ourselves.
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