Here’s your guide to the friendly international between New Zealand’s Football Ferns and Argentina at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium.
New Zealand will look to end the international window with a positive result, after losing their two games over the past week, including a 2-0 loss to Argentina in Hamilton on Monday.
Main photo: Defender Katie Bowen gets off the team bus for a training session, followed by captain Ali Riley whose thigh is strapped after sustaining an injury last weekend. Photo: NZ Football.
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New Zealand aim to break a seven-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), Argentina (0-2) and drawn with South Korea (1-1).
Latest on Ferns’ injury list
Going into matchday, Ferns captain Ali Riley was a doubtful starter, having picked up an injury in training last weekend and missing the first match against Argentina.
Forward Indiah Paige-Riley missed the Monday game due to a concussion injury but is available for Thursday’s match.
CJ Bott is also out after picking up a minor injury that ruled her out of Monday’s game.
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Argentina have 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.
In their first game in New Zealand, 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 Thursday February 23, 2023
New Zealand v Argentina
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, Auckland, 7pm (NZT)
How to watch
Sky Sport 1, Sky Sport 7.
Squads
New Zealand
(caps/goals)(club/country)
1 — Erin Nayler (83/0) (IFK Norrköping, Sweden)
2 — Kate Taylor (7/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
3 — Claudia Bunge (17/0) (Melbourne Victory, Australia)
5 — Meikayla Moore (62/4) (Glasgow City, Scotland)
6 — Malia Steinmetz (15/0) (Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia)
7 — Ali Riley (captain) (150/2) (Angel City, United States)
8 — Daisy Cleverley (29/2) (HB Køge, Denmark)
9 — Gabi Rennie (22/2) (Arizona State University, United States)
10 — Grace Jale (14/2) (Canberra United, Australia)
12 — Betsy Hassett (140/13) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
13 — Michaela Foster (1/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
14 — Katie Bowen (89/3) (Melbourne City, Australia)
15 — Paige Satchell (39/2) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
16 — Grace Neville (2/0) (London City Lionesses, England)
17 — Hannah Wilkinson (110/27) (Melbourne City, Australia)
18 — Mackenzie Barry (6/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
19 — Liz Anton (18/0) (Perth Glory, Australia)
20 — Indiah-Paige Riley (6/0) (Brisbane Roar, Australia)
21 — Brianna Edwards (0/0) (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand)
22 — Ava Collins (10/0) (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)
2 — Chiara Singarella
3 — Eliana Stabile
4 — Julieta Cruz
5 — Vanessa Santana
6 — Aldana Cornetti
7 — Romina Nuñez
8 — Falfan Daiana
9 — Paulina Gramaglia
11 — Yamila Rodriguez
14 — Miriam Mayorga
15 — Maria Bonsegundo
16 — Lorena Benitez
17 — Maricel Pereyra
18 — Gabriela Chavez
19 — Mariana Larroquette
20 — Marianela Szymanowsk
21 — Érica Lonigro
22 — Estefania Banini
23 — Laurina Oliveros (GK)
Coaching staff
Head coach: Germán Portanova
Match officials
Referee: Tatiana Guzmán (Nicaragua)
Assistant 1: Shirley Perello (Honduras)
Assistant 2: Sandra Ramírez (Mexico)
4th referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia)
VAR: Shaun Evans (Australia)
AVAR: Joanna Chakartis (Australia)
Past meetings
The teams have met three times 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.
Argentina beat New Zealand 2-0 on February 20, 2023, with goals from Mariana Larroquette and Aidana Cometti.
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 (140), Hannah Wilkinson (110), Katie Bowen (89), Erin Nayler (83), Olivia Chance (42) and Paige Satchell (39).
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, and who scored her team’s second goal on Monday.
News from the Ferns camp
READ MORE: Ferns defender Meikayla Moore: ‘We improved but it’s not good enough’ >>>>
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