Football Ferns show a lack of grit

Hannah Wilkinson in action against Nigeria
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková is hopeful that a two month training camp prior to the World Cup will help turn her side’s fortunes around.

The teams winless streak continued overnight after they were beaten 3-0 by Nigeria in a friendly in Turkey.

Klimková says she was disappointed with the lack of grit shown by her side, particularly in the defensive third.

“We gave up goals from the set plays and the cross. The biggest improvement that we need to now look for is gritty defending in the box, we need to put bodies on the line the same way that they did.”

The African nation scored either side of half-time with their third coming deep into injury time.

New Zealand offered very little in front of goal and some frailties at the back.

Coach Jitka Klimková made just one change to the starting eleven which kept Iceland to a 1-all draw at the weekend, with Gabi Rennie coming in for an injured Liv Chance.

The latest loss in Antalya means the Ferns have now gone ten consecutive matches without a victory.

New Zealand are scheduled to play one final fixture against Vietnam in Napier, ten days prior to their opening game of the World Cup against Norway in Auckland on July 20.

Klimková says the team showed a lack of sophistication and efficiency on attack.

“We had some chances and couldn’t put the ball in net .”

Compounding issues for the Ferns, Betsy Hassett was assisted from the field with what is suspected to be a broken rib.

“We will evaluate her situation.”

She says with just 99 days to go until the World Cup, the next two months are imperative.

“I am glad that May and June we have committed to that training camp, and we will be together, will be connecting on and off the field more, those two months will make a difference.”