Football Ferns

At Waikato Stadium, Hamilton: Argentina 2 (Mariana Larroquette 17', Aldana Cometti 90') Football Ferns 0. HT: 1-0. Crowd: 3622. The Football Ferns have ...

Optimism that they can create history at the World Cup by picking up their first win and getting out of the group is fading fast. The technically gifted Yamila Rodriquez caught the eye for Argentina, beating right-back Grace Neville with a nutmeg to create an early chance for the visitors before setting up the second goal with her excellent set-piece delivery. Football Ferns midfielder Betsy Hassett put in a solid shift in a losing effort. Betsy Hassett squeezed out of a tight space and burst down the left wing, beating three defenders. They even had a goal ruled out for offside. The Football Ferns have suffered another disappointing defeat on the road to the Women’s World Cup after their stand-in skipper was denied an emotional goal in her hometown by a marginal offside call.

The Football Ferns are still searching for their first goal of the year, after falling to another disappointing friendly defeat to Argentina at Hamilton.

Foster spent much of her young life inside the Hamilton arena, with father Ian coaching the Waikato provincial side, before his extended stint with the Chiefs, ...

“It was business as usual, with some self-prep to be ready especially if that chance came,” said Foster. “Now that I have been in this environment I definitely want more of it obviously. “We believed when she stepped on the field that she will help us to keep the ball better and I loved her attacking runs, her overlapping runs,” said Klimková. She has probably moved a few places up the list in Klimkova’s notebook, after barely being on the radar a year ago and seems a definite contender for the World Cup squad. “It was good,” said Foster. “I know he coached Waikato here but I think it was the Chiefs and just seeing him coach,” said Foster, when asked for early recollections. “Open eyes and open mind to learn things. Her first memory of the stadium was “rugby with Dad”. I felt confident to just do my thing; the first touch, first pass, first tackle, you settle into the game.” She has impressed at the Phoenix – probably the most consistent performer – with her work rate, tenacity and set piece delivery standing out, along with genuine pace. Injuries then elevated her into the official squad and her training form couldn’t be ignored. It was deserved start for her.”

"I always called it Ian Foster Stadium, so I'll have to take that name from him now," the fullback joked afterwards.

She was initially called in to the squad only as a training partner last weekend, when Phoenix team-mate Grace Wisnewski withdrew. [The Wellington Phoenix fullback](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/130290990/michaela-foster-keen-to-seize-her-opportunity-at-wellington-phoenix) received her first senior international cap in Hamilton on Monday night, less than two weeks after she initially missed out on a place in Jitka Klimková’s squad for this month’s friendlies against Portugal and Argentina. [losing 5-0 to Portugal on Friday](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/131241776/football-ferns-make-horror-start-to-their-mini-world-cup-losing-50-to-portugal) and 2-0 to Argentina on Monday, the Ferns have one more chance to get a win this month when they face Argentina again on Thursday, with the start of their World Cup campaign at Eden Park on July 20 drawing ever closer. [Sky Sport](https://www.sky.co.nz/discover/sky-sport/football) or stream on [Sky Sport Now](https://www.welcome.skysportnow.co.nz/). After that, Foster is due back at that venue on Sunday as the Phoenix’s season continues against Sydney FC – and after getting her first taste of senior international action, she will have more motivation than ever before as she chases a place in the 23-strong World Cup squad. [While the Ferns lost to Argentina on Monday](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/131272077/football-ferns-have-goal-ruled-out-in-20-defeat-to-argentina-in-hamilton), Foster received a warm welcome when she took the field in the 62nd minute and her touches were greeted with the loudest cheers of the night. [a former age-group international captain](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/84575081/u17-womens-football-captain-michaela-foster-putting-a-fern-by-the-family-name), had earned her debut with her work in training and was full of praise for the way she got involved from left back. [which prompted her club coach, Natalie Lawrence, to say a callup "had to happen soon"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/131045700/wellington-phoenix-coach-backs-fullback-michaela-foster-for-football-ferns). Foster's debut came on the back of a strong showing in her first season in A-League Women with the Phoenix, “We believed when she stepped on the field that she would help us to keep the ball better and I loved her attacking runs and her overlapping runs with Liv Chance. “It's always been a special stadium and it's always felt like home, so I couldn't believe I got the callup to come and be a part of this team in Hamilton.” [Fifa Women’s World Cup](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/130177989/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup) have quickly become a lot more realistic, after the stars aligned for her to make a timely debut.

Just five months out from a World Cup on home soil, the form of the Football Ferns is fast becoming cause for concern. On Monday, they suffered a fourth ...

Jitka Klimková's side went almost an hour without a legitimate shot during Monday's loss in Hamilton, but she knows what they need to do better on Thursday ...

If we are the ones who are moving and wanting the ball, we are prepared for our first touch and for our next step. We did it, but not for a full 90 minutes. “We are not going to score goals if we are not going to spend more time in the final third and be composed in final third. “We need to take a look and be smarter with our decisions on the ball and our movement of the ball, so we can connect and we can keep the ball better. “We are reacting to the ball, we are reacting to the passes and then we are losing the ball too quickly. “We just have to be smarter with our decisions on the ball and with our movement,” Klimková said towards the end of her post-match press conference.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster could have two World Cups on his mind this year after his daughter Michaela made her international debut for New Zealand's ...