Ferns goalkeeper Vic Esson: ‘It’s important we celebrate when we score’

Football Ferns goalkeeper Vic Esson’s job might be to prevent goals but she knows how it important it is for her teammates to take opportunities at the other end of the pitch.

“At the top level, goals are really hard to come by,” she told NewstalkZB Weekend with Sport host Jason Pine.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s warm-up game against Vietnam in Napier, Esson (32) said the Ferns were keen to put in a strong performance as they prepared for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“It’s really important we celebrate when we do score,” she said.

“I think that we have the ability to put the ball in the back of the net and sometimes it hasn’t happened as frequently as we would have liked in the past.

“But at the end of the day, football is a game of chances and you’ve got to take chances, so I hope that we can do that this World Cup and make the most of the opportunities we do have in front of the net.”

New Zealand are looking to break a 10-match winless streak and to find their goalscoring touch.

In their past 10 hours of international play, the Ferns have scored once, when Hannah Wilkinson scored in the team’s 1-1 draw against Iceland in April.

Esson said the game against Vietnam would help the Ferns be ready for “D Day” — Thursday July 20 when they face Norway in the World Cup opening at Auckland’s Eden Park.

“It’s a chance for us to refine what we’ve been working on for the past nine weeks with the girls in their training programme, so trying different formations, what works against a different opponent.

“You know, we’ve been playing boys the past nine weeks, so playing against a women’s first team will be slightly different, even though the boys are fantastic,” she said.

“It’s a good opportunity to move the ball around.”

Esson, who plays her club football for Scottish side Rangers, said the Ferns were enjoying being together again.

“It’s always really nice to join the team and hear the Kiwi accent but being able to come home and play in front of family and friends is something really special, an opportunity we don’t have very often.

“I think the girls are looking forward to soaking up the tournament and everything it brings with being home.”

READ MORE: Bumper crowd expected for Ferns’ warm-up match against Vietnam in Napier >>>>

Listen to Vic Esson interview

You can hear the full 10-minute interview with Jason Pine here:

Fixture

Game to be played on Monday July 10, 2023

New Zealand v Vietnam
McLean Park, Napier, 5.30pm

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live on the Sky Sport 1 channel. The broadcast starts at 5pm.

Squads

Countdown to the cup

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