Here’s your guide to the friendly international between New Zealand’s Football Ferns and Argenina at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato.
New Zealand are looking to break a six-match streak without a win.
Since beating the Philippines 2-1 last September, the Ferns have lost to Japan (0-2), South Korea (0-1), United States twice (0-4 and 0-5), Portugal (0-5) and drawn with South Korea (1-1).
Going into matchday, Ferns captain Ali Riley was a doubtful starter, having picked up an injury at Saturday’s training session, while Indiah Paige-Riley was not expected to play as she is also carrying an injury.
LATEST: Olivia Chance to captain Ferns as coach Klimková makes five changes to line-up >>>>
Argentina go into the game with a FIFA world ranking of 29, while the Ferns are currently rated 24th.
Since qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup last July, “La Albiceleste (The White and Sky-Blues)”, as they are nicknamed, have had four friendlies with mixed outcomes.
They lost 2-0 to Olympic champions Canada, drew 2-2 with Poland and were then thrashed 7-0 by Spain.
Last Friday, they beat Chile 4-0 in a friendly at North Harbour Stadium.
READ MORE: Video replay: Ferns’ next opponents are impressive in 4-0 win against Chile >>>>
Fixture
Game to be played on Monday February 20, 2023
New Zealand v Argentina
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 7pm (NZT)
How to watch
Prime (free-to-air), Sky Sport 2, Sky Sport 7.
Starting line-ups
Teams confirmed an hour before match:
New Zealand
(caps/goals)(club/country)
1 — Erin Nayler (82/0) (IFK Norrköping, Sweden)
5 — Meikayla Moore (61/4) (Glasgow City, Scotland)
8 — Daisy Cleverley (28/2) (HB Køge, Denmark)
9 — Gabi Rennie (21/2) (Arizona State University, United States)
10 — Grace Jale (13/2) (Canberra United, Australia)
11 — Olivia Chance (41/2) (Celtic, Scotland)
12 — Betsy Hassett (139/13) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
14 — Katie Bowen (88/3) (Melbourne City, Australia)
16 — Grace Neville (1/0) (London City Lionesses, England)
17 — Hannah Wilkinson (109/27) (Melbourne City, Australia)
19 — Liz Anton (17/0) (Perth Glory, Australia)
Substitutes
2 — Kate Taylor (7/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
3 — Claudia Bunge (17/0) (Melbourne Victory, Australia)
6 — Malia Steinmetz (14/0) (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia)
13 — Michaela Foster (0/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
15 — Paige Satchell (38/2) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
18 — Mackenzie Barry (5/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
21 — Brianna Edwards (0/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
22 — Ava Collins (9/0) (St John’s University, United States)
23 — Murphy Sheaff (0/0) (Jacksonville University, United States)
Coaching staff
Head coach: Jitka Klimková
Argentina
1 — Vanina Correa (GK)
4 — Julieta Cruz
6 — Aldana Cornetti
7 — Romina Nuñez
8 — Falfan Daiana
9 — Paulina Gramaglia
11 — Yamila Rodriguez
14 — Miriam Mayorga
15 — Maria Bonsegundo
16 — Lorena Benitez
19 — Mariana Larroquette
Substitutes
23 — Laurina Oliveros (GK)
2 — Chiara Singarella
3 — Eliana Stabile
5 — Vanessa Santana
17 — Maricel Pereyra
18 — Gabriela Chavez
20 — Marianela Szymanowsk
21 — Érica Lonigro
22 — Estefania Banini
Coaching staff
Head coach: Germán Portanova
Past meetings
The teams have met twice before in full internationals.
New Zealand beat Argentina 1-0 at the Peace Queen Cup tournament, in Suwon, on June 16, 2008, with the winner scored by Kirsty Yallop.
New Zealand beat Argentina 2-0 on March 3, 2019, in the Cup of Nations, played in Brisbane, with CJ Bott and Katie Rood scoring for the Ferns.
Who to watch in the NZ team
The most-capped player in the squad is captain Ali Riley with 150 appearances, followed by Betsy Hassett (139), Hannah Wilkinson (109), Katie Bowen (88), Erin Nayler (82), Olivia Chance (41) and Paige Satchell (38).
Hannah Wilkinson is the top scorer in this squad with 27 international goals, followed by Betsy Hassett (14).
Who to watch in the Argentina team
Goalkeeper Vanina Correa is the veteran of the team, still playing at 39 and with more than 40 caps since her debut in 2003. She is the captain, when in the starting line-up.
Captain against Chile was centre back Aidana Cometti (26), considered to be a key organiser of the team.
READ MORE: Argentines ready to face ‘physical’ Ferns team with confidence >>>>
News from the Ferns camp
READ MORE: Striker Hannah Wilkinson on Monday’s Ferns game: ‘It’s going to be 100% better’ >>>>
READ MORE: Portugal put Football Ferns on the rack with 5-0 drubbing in Hamilton >>>>
READ MORE: Ferns coach Jitka Klimková: ‘We know we should be doing a better job’ >>>>
READ MORE: Commentator Jason Pine: ‘Probably Klimková’s most disappointing performance’ >>>>
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