Football Ferns vs Portugal/Argentina: Part Two, Into The Mangroves
You know, the funny thing is the Football Ferns actually didn’t play that badly against Portugal in the first half. They created three or four decent moments with the picks of the bunch being a Liv Chance shot straight at the keeper from about ten yards and a smoothly-finished Gabi Rennie goal which was disallowed for offside (by Hannah Wilkinson prior to her cross). The switch to a back three (3-5-2 formation) was creating some tasty space for the likes of Liv Chance and Betsy Hassett to work with. And despite not having too much possession they were handling most of what the Portuguese threw at them. Hard to imagine how drastically that was all going to change.
Two slip-ups from the inexperienced Kate Taylor spoiled that first half performance. The first losing her runner leading to a flick-headed goal, the second the VAR-spotted penalty which she’d have gotten away with had they not randomly had the video ref in operation for a meaningless friendly game. Seems they stuck to standard FIFA tournament regulations due to these games being organised around the World Cup qualifiers.
That same performance could conceivably have led to a 1-0 half-time lead and the story could have been so different. If Rebekah Stott had been fit to play instead of Taylor in a role which seemed perfectly suited to Stotty’s abilities. If Chance had buried that opportunity. We’d also need to chuck in some Vic Esson and Ria Percival if we want that hypothetical lead to be anything other than against the run of play. But it’s feasible, that’s the point.
When your luck is out though... you know how that goes. Especially for a team with minimal confidence in their own goal-scoring. One concession is okay, that can be coped with, every team at every level turns up to any game hoping to at least score once. It’s that second goal that busts things up. Conceding right before the break was a kick in the stomach for the Ferns and unfortunately they capitulated. No more decent attacking chances. Some awful defending. Combine that with a rampant Portugal side preparing for a World Cup qualifier – the biggest game in that team’s history – and it all got out of hand for a 5-0 loss.
That second half was inexcusable. You simply can’t be folding like a deck chair in those situations, not even against what’s clearly a really strong Portugal side which a few days later clinched their place in the World Cup by beating Cameroon 2-1 (thanks to a very late penalty from Carole Costa). They should’ve won by a lot more but pressure does funny things to a team. Also Cameroon are pretty handy. They beat the Ferns 2-1 at the last World Cup.
We’ll have to scratch that second half off as a shocker and hope it’s never repeated otherwise we’ll drown in the sorrow. At least we can say that Kate Taylor had a much better second half. She’s a resilient one, don’t have to worry about K.Taylor. Just a pity that everybody else around her got so much worse.
The most curious thing was definitely the formation. That 3-5-2 shape offered a few funky twists, and when you look at the players available it seems to suit a whole lot more of them than it doesn’t. Grace Jale is the one player who’d be poised to suffer right as she seemed to be making that right midfield spot her own. But then again we did get an extended look at Jale up front in these days. Her partnership with Hannah Wilkinson oughta be persisted with no matter what the shape.
A back three means an extra central defender gets selectde and since at least five of our fifteen best players are central defenders that seems beneficial. More talent on the park... in this case probably Rebekah Stott whose quality on the ball makes it an easy fit. Katie Bowen has been playing in a back three for Melbourne City, making the ongoing transition to defence a little easier for her. Plus it gets CJ Bott and Ali Riley into more attacking areas which is huge for the width of the team. Those two are massive players. The more the Ferns can eek out of each of them the better. The fact that Klimková has toyed with both as wide midfielders tells you all you need to know there. Also Liv Chance would get to play more centrally and Betsy Hassett further forward. It’s intriguing. It’s compelling. It’s very persuasive.
Of course we’re also very close to a World Cup and there’s not a lot of time left to drill the team on a different approach. Worth mentioning that Tom Sermanni used to regularly alternate between a back three and back four, setting his team up to play either way. This is just picking up where they left off. The 3-5-2 probably ain’t the best way to go about a game against elite opponents. The flat lines of the 4-4-2 do come in very handy when spending most of the game on defence. However against more evenly matched teams this new shape could be worthwhile.
We didn’t see the back three again in either of the Argentina games. Possibly because they were frightened out of it by how badly that Portugal match ended up. But also possibly because Bott and Riley were no longer available and that 3-5-2 thing only really works if there are world class wing-backs available and there are only so many of those to go around.
The Fernies improved against Argentina in both those subsequent games. Not enough to score a goal or anything but maybe enough to show the pathways towards future success. This despite their team becoming notably weaker with both CJ Bott and Ali Riley sitting out these two while Liv Chance had to catch a pre-arranged flight back to Scotland before the last one. Argentina aren’t as good as Portugal, to be fair. But the Ferns did at least put up more of a scrap.
Alas, they still had to play from behind in the first Argentina game. Despite a decent start, including a Hannah Wilkinson shot on target, they were having some trouble playing out from the back and one such giveaway cost them dearly. Katie Bowen asked a little too much of Daisy Cleverley dropping in to collect the ball and DC was mobbed. Bowen did enough to get goal-side of the dinked pass in behind the line but her attempted clearance was blocked by Mariana Larroquette and popped sneakily over the line.
The goal, really, was a bit of a fluke. But it did come about through a cheap concession and that’s what can happen. Especially when your luck is against you, as is so often the case with unconfident teams who have to work through that extra split-second of hesitation or doubt. On a more fortunate evening that deflects out for a goal kick instead or Bowen gets it clear for a throw/corner.
Also on a more fortunate evening the absolute millimetres that must have been behind this Liv Chance goal being disallowed might have gone the other way...
She did look offside to the naked eye but the slow motion replays and pause-screens (admittedly from a funky angle) had the pesky consequence of raising hopes it might be given. But nope. The fine margins just aren’t falling the way of the Footy Ferns at the moment. Gotta trust that the VAR tech was as accurate as could be (the red means offside, if it were on that’d show green) but that was excruciatingly close. Fantastic ball from Jale and an even better finish from Chance, at least.
Chance also had a brilliant opportunity earlier in the game after a Wilkinson lay-off. Very similar to her effort against Portugal only she couldn’t beat the goalie this time either. A trailing foot denied her. Not clinical enough from NZ’s most influential attacker. Although we do have to credit some super work from Betsy Hassett dribbling down the line to set that one up – Hassett’s move to the ten role for the Wellington Phoenix really unlocked their attacking potential and clearly Jitka was paying attention, trying Hassett out in a few more attacking areas across this window. Which in turn was made possible by Malia Steinmetz making a genuine case for starter’s status in the midfield.
It was 1-0 until the 90th minute when Aldana Cometti headed in from a corner kick. The Ferns had ridden their luck several times with chances back the other way, it could have been killed off a lot earlier, although that’s one of the reasons why teams like Argentina are more competitive as Ferns opponents: because they won’t take every big chance. Just as the Ferns won’t themselves. 2-0 was the final score.
The second game, in Auckland this time after two matches in Hamilton, was even more frustrating because there was no early goal conceded yet still they couldn’t capitalise. The game remained 0-0 for long stretches as the Ferns produced easily their best performance of the three. Led by the press from midfield of Malia Steinmetz they had the Argies really scrambling. Wilkinson had a couple of major chances, including one nearing the half which she pushed just wide of the far post after a wonderful cross from Gabi Rennie on the counter attack.
That one needed to go in. If it had done then the dressing room would have been absolutely buzzing at half-time after a strong forty-five minutes which had actually been rewarded. Sometimes that one break is all it takes to get things back on track... instead it went wide and the Ferns notably dropped off when Steinmetz was subbed just before the hour – probably a matter of minutes conservation rather than the coach not recognising the most impactful player on her team.
Then, because the gods are against us at this present moment, Argentina scored in the 77th minute through Larroquette again. A Meikayla Moore pass had slightly evaded Katie Bowen (tired legs from KB more than a wonky pass from MM) to cough the ball up in a tricky spot, leading to a sumptuous chip over the top from Daiana Falfán towards Larroquette’s run. Ferns caught in transition, Moore slow to step up.
Larroquette looked offside but VAR had plenty of room to take a decent peek with substitutions taking place before the game resumed and nothing happened. Chance was marginally offside last game, Larroquette was marginally onside this time. Fine margins. Then again, Nayler could have gotten lower to prevent Larroquette from stepping around her while Nayler and Bunge both slid in at the near post and yet neither could keep the ball from squeezing through.
Even when they played well, in a game with evenly distributed chances, the Ferns still lost. Both games against Argentina had been close. Second half stoppage time of the first match was the only stage at which they were anything worse than one goal behind – always in range yet unable to convert promise into substance.
Would that have still been the case if they’d had Liv Chance, CJ Bott, Ali Riley, and Rebekah Stott as per the original travelling squad? Let along Vic Esson (or Anna Leat), Ria Percival, Annalie Longo, etc. This point was already made part one but here it comes again: the Ferns only have a certain amount of professional players at their disposal, especially those outside the A-League, and for every one of them that’s missing the likelihood of success shrinks. You’d think that goes without saying but apparently not.
If you prefer the glass-half-full approach then this does mean that there’s more to come, and that an effort like against Argentina in Auckland might be enough to get the points in a World Cup game with a line-up closer to their full capacity.
The results were bloody awful across this window but from amongst the rubble there were things to persevere with... and the most valuable of all of them was the pressing emphasis that we saw in that third game. The Ferns struggle to break teams down with clinical passing moves, okay, so maybe don’t worry so much about that and hit teams early in possession instead. Close them down, squeeze them out of shape, take that ball back, then crush them in transition. Be proactive without the ball.
They’ve been a pressing team before under JK. Against South Korea in particular, the first time they played them, they were really hustling and harrying and it helped lead to a fantastic win in the second match. Why did they go away from something that was working? Two words: Ria Percival. One of the best pressers in the Women’s Super League with Tottenham and the instigator of the press for the Ferns. She’s been injured and without her that midfield simply hasn’t been able to function at quite the same level.
But there were resurgent signs of a dangerous press in the third game against the Argies and the main reason for that was Malia Steinmetz. At the U20 World Cup a couple of cycles ago it was Steinmetz and Jale who were the standout players for Aotearoa. Now they’re both pushing through into Ferns prowess. Even back then Steinmetz had the same ability to cover acres of turf and consistently get a foot into a challenge and take possession away. She’s not nearly as dynamic as Percival is in transition but she can do similar things up until that point. The way that Steinmetz performed in all three of these games, but especially the third one, should have her as a locked-on starter from now until Percival is ready to return... and possibly even after that too (imagine the pressing capabilities with both of them!).
This close to the World Cup, when things aren’t working, you’ve just gotta lean into what you do best. When America were here, they showed a lot of respect to the kiwi team despite those results, with players mentioning the difficult physical battle and well-organised tactics that the Football Ferns always bring to the table. Well, there’s the blueprint then.
To that point, not only is the high press now back on the table but that Wilkinson/Jale combination up front oughta hang around too. Wilkinson’s finishing wasn’t there in this window so her stocks might be down amongst a lot of fans... but at the same time she was still getting into those spots. She was more dangerous here, more active and involved, than she’s been for the Ferns at any point since Klimková took over and that’s an overall positive. Chuck Grace Jale alongside her and we’ve got two strikers who are strong and mobile, the two best kiwi goal-scorers in the A-League at the moment. It’s one thing to be frustrated about the lack of goals but swapping out experienced players for backups or rookies doesn’t necessarily make things better. Wilkie is the best option, chill out with that.
With Wilkie and Jale up front, the Ferns can play more direct. Maybe not as a first option but definitely as an outlet when they get stuck deep. It’s a simple way to haul the game away from their own goal. As much as playing out from the back and seeking to control possession feels like the in thing these days, you’ve got to have the players to do it.
Three games means lots to write about and this thing is starting to get too long so let’s breeze through the last few ideas. Yeah, the Ferns are over-reliant on Liv Chance for creativity... but we’ll just have to live with that. Another point is that the Ferns defence operating much better in the third game when Claudia Bunge was able to play at full capacity having previously been managed after a concussion for Melbourne Victory... that was no coincidence. Bunge has been our best defender during the JK tenure. Probably also worth pointing out that she was subbed at half-time of the Portugal game and it was after that when the team fell to pieces.
Interesting that Paige Satchell didn’t start any of these games. Few players have had more starts under JK but Satch’s raw speed still isn’t leading to goals for the Ferns or even for the Phoenix. Kinda feels like her best impact is as a substitute, changing the focal point later in matches by running against tired legs.
Meanwhile Gabi Rennie made all three starts and did have a couple of tangible moments amidst her high workrate. That disallowed goal in game one. The cross for HW in game three. Rennie and Satchell are both in that category of younger/project players who’ve been promoted beyond themselves because of the lack of attacking options available. Thankfully Rennie’s coming into her last year of college so the professional realms should beckon in 2024. Another one of those USA college issues where she’s 21 but still playing against those her own age – the Football Ferns are taking on the bulk of her development at the moment that’s not what international teams are for. But Rennie’s clearly making progress and should be around this squad for many years to come.
There were times in each of these games where the slightly stricter FIFA standard of refereeing (at least that’s how it feels) was to the detriment of the Ferns, punishing them for being the more physical team. That’s gonna happen but they still need to be the aggressors because, as the USWNT will tell ya, it’s a major way in which the Ferns can make it tough for more technically adept opponents. It’s also part and parcel of the press. Something to pay attention to down the line, perhaps, as an especially officious ref would be a problem come World Cup time.
Also Michaela Foster making her debut in Hamilton was awesome and she did enough to prove there are many more caps heading her way in the future. Might even squeeze into the World Cup squad given that only Liz Anton seems to have really impressed Klimková as a reserve left back. We’ll see how that goes.
Other than that... well at least there’s now clarity about where the Ferns are at prior to the World Cup. That could yet end up being a blessing in (a very convincing) disguise. Negatives outweighed the positives however there were still positives. Things to take away and build upon. Malia Steinmetz. The pressing game. Claudia Bunge’s influence. Betsy Hassett further forward. Hannah Wilkinson’s increased impact. Perhaps even that 3-5-2 formation.
There’s an international window in early-April straight after the last round of the A-League regular season. Then the next one is for the World Cup itself. Just remember that none of this will matter if the Footy Ferns achieve what they’ve set out to at the World Cup. It’s harder to envisage that happening now than it was a fortnight ago but it’s still true that all of this is in preparation for that and only those three tournament games truly matter.
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