With Olympic qualification confirmed, members of the New Zealand squad have shared their reactions after winning the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier tournament.
The Football Ferns beat Solomon Islands 11-1 in a one-sided final in Samoa, and will represent Oceania at the Paris Olympics in July/August.
Here’s a round-up of post-final reactions provided by OFC Media:
Player of the Match, New Zealand’s Indiah-Paige Riley
“I think we had seven different goal scorers, so that just goes to show the depth that we have in the team, and it’s good going forward and looking forward to Paris 2024.
“It’s been so good to be back around here. with the girls and you know, we have so much fun together as a team and I think that shows in the way that I’m playing on the field.”
Main photo: Indiah-Paige Riley … two goals in the final.
New Zealand head coach Jitka Klimková
“We wanted to start strong and finish even stronger this game, and that’s what we could see.
“We didn’t want it to slow down in the second half and we could see the positive outcomes, scoring six goals in (the) second half and that’s what we wanted today.
“This is our last game in the tournament — we didn’t want to start controlling or managing the gametime
“We wanted to go forward. We wanted to score goals and that was a difference versus our previous games when the second half was more about controlling.”
New Zealand defender Katie Bowen
“We came into it knowing it’s a final, knowing that the Paris Olympics, was on the line. so I’m really proud of the girls.
“As one of the senior players, I’m incredibly proud, especially of the younger ones.
“I had a lot of fun out there tonight and so to add a goal to the resume was awesome.”
Solomon Islands head coach Batram Suri
“The gap between is too, too big.
“When they (New Zealand) keep possession of the ball, we cannot match them.
“I expected (there) to be a big margin against us, especially in the final, and we are still happy, and the girls too.
“They are happy because of (getting) in the final for the first time ever in the history of our women’s football.”
Result
Game played on Monday February 19, 2024
New Zealand 11 (Jacqui Hand 12′, Hannah Wilkinson 20′, 56′, Katie Bowen 25′, Grace Jale 37′, 62′, Indiah-Paige Riley 45+1′, 52′, Katie Kitching 70′, 76′, Ruby Nathan 89′)
Solomon Islands 1 (Jemina David 55′)
More from the final
WATCH: Highlights from New Zealand’s big win against Solomon Islands >>>>
READ MORE: Football Ferns crush Solomon Islands 11-1 to qualify for Paris Olympics >>>>
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