New Zealand’s Baradene College will face reigning champions China in their next game at the secondary schools world cup tournament underway in China.
The Aucklanders have already played China’s third team at the tournament but on Friday May 24, at 1pm (NZT), they’ll take on the side who were 2023 ISF World Champions.
Representing New Zealand at the tournament, Baradene are second on the Group A table, behind the top China side on goal difference.
Main photo: Baradene College won the girls’ premier NZ Secondary Schools tournament last season.
Only the top team from each group qualifies for the semi-finals, and as well as beating China 1, the New Zealanders might also need Morocco to get a result against China 3 in their last group game.
If they fail to make the semi-finals, Baradene will take part in play-offs for 5th-8th, 9th-12th, or 13th-16th, depending on their final pool placing.
How to watch Baradene play China/1
Baradene’s match against China 1 will be live-streamed free by ISF TV at 1pm (NZT) on Friday May 24.
“We are under no illusion that it will be easy to get a result against China 1,” says Baradene’s coach, Ryan Shiffman.
“While it will be the most difficult game so far, we are lucky we get the opportunity to test ourselves against the best in the world. They seem extremely well-coached with high technical skill.
“The girls know the level of performance required and are going to do their best, of that I have no doubt.”
Captain Penny Brill said: “We are all very excited for our game against China. We are proud of how far we have come as a team and are hoping to showcase our growth and capability in the next game.
“We know it will be challenging but we will give everything we have got.”
Baradene’s tournament so far
Result
Game played on Sunday May 19, 2024
New Zealand 0
China/3 6
Baradene College came into their first match at the ISF World Cup unsure of what to expect in terms of level and opposition.
China 3 took quick control of the game, nearly scoring less than a minute into the match from a corner kick.
It was a wake-up call for the Aucklanders and for next 20 minutes, both teams competed for every ball, with both sides creating half chances.
China 3 broke through soon after and they added to their lead 10 minutes later, sending the New Zealanders into the changing rooms with a 2-0 half-time deficit.
The second half saw the match only get tougher, with China 3 scoring a few minutes in. They continued to attack and made it difficult for New Zealand to create much, with the match finishing 0-6.
Coach Ryan Shiffman said: “Our first World Cup match against one of the tournament’s strongest teams, so we learned a lot of lessons.
“The team now knows the level required to compete at this level and will bounce back. We got all 18 players into the match, which is a bright spot on the day. Everyone now has that experience they can take forward.”
Result
Game played on Monday May 20, 2024
New Zealand 2 (Katie Brugh 2)
Morocco 1
The Baradene team knew they would need a much-improved performance if they wanted to keep alive their chances at the tournament.
Coming up against Morocco would be no easy task for any team. There was a lot of talk around the ISF grounds that Morocco was a title contender this year and once the game started, it was clear to see why.
They were technical, fast, physical, and well-organised.
After an even opening 20 minutes, it was New Zealand who found the net first.
Some combination play in the middle of the field from Charlotte O’Neill (Eastern Suburbs) to Emma Paetz (Ellerslie) who played it through to Poppy O’Brien (Auckland United).
O’Brien secured possession, and found one of the captains, Katie Brugh (Eastern Suburbs), at the top of the box.
Brugh beat her defender onto her left foot, hit her shot and saw it fly past the keeper to the eruption of cheers from the Kiwi girls. It was their first goal of the tournament.
Morocco would not fall away and came straight down the field and created a number of chances.
New Zealand held them out but 10 minutes later, Morocco found their equaliser with a beautiful curling shot from outside the box that just found its way inside the post and into the top corner, a true contender for goal of the tournament.
Two minutes later, Morocco were down New Zealand’s end again.
With a 6-pass move, a Moroccan struck a shot that looked sure to find the net but another team captain, goalkeeper Issy O’Connell (Auckland United), stretched to push it over the bar.
The ensuing corner caused trouble for the New Zealanders.
With the ball bouncing around the box, Morocco got away a shot that beat O’Connell but Taylor Fisher (a water polo rep) saved the day, headed it off the line.
With two minutes left in the half, the ball was played out to Charlotte O’Neill, who put in a cross that fell to Katie Brugh, who she made no mistake, slotting it past the ‘keeper with her left foot again, and regaining the lead.
Morocco came out firing in the second half.
The next 40 minutes would be played on a knife’s edge, with each team taking chances and coming up just short.
In the final few minutes, the teams saw the ball hit the crossbar, both ‘keepers made great saves, and defenders came up with some desperation blocks.
With just minutes to go, Morocco created a clear chance in the box. The shot beat the ‘keeper but again Taylor Fisher’s heroics saved the day as she once again headed off the line.
When the final whistle blew, it was the New Zealand girls who held the 2-1 lead and came away with their first-ever points and win at an ISF World Cup.
The girls rushed the field with a release of emotions and the confidence they could compete at this level.
Captain Katie Brugh said: “We came into the game knowing it would be tough, all of the girls really stepped up helping us to get the result we wanted.”
Coach Ryan Shiffman said: “It was incredible to be a part of. It’s a memory I think will stick with them for a long time. Our captains came up huge in this result with Katie scoring two, Issy making some amazing saves, and Penny [Brill] (Auckland United) having complete control of the midfield.”
Result
Game played on Tuesday May 21, 2024
New Zealand 3 (Esme Reid, Charlotte O’Neill, Katie Brugh)
Bangladesh 0
The third game in just as many days would feature New Zealand against Bangladesh.
This match was far more balanced in favour of New Zealand.
The first goal came 10 minutes into the match. A well-worked passing combination down the right side of the field saw Penny Brill set up Emma Paetz at the top of the box.
Her shot was saved by the goalkeeper but Esme Reid (Eastern Suburbs) was there to tap in the loose ball.
A few minutes later, the Kiwis won a free kick from about 30 metres out.
The confident strike of Charlotte O’Neill sent the ball straight into the top corner, bringing the score to 2-0.
Before the half, New Zealand extended their lead to three goals, with Katie Brugh scoring.
The play started with Penny Brill getting on the ball in her own half. She saw Brugh making a forward run and played a great pass in behind the Bangladesh backline.
The ‘keeper came out, but Brugh was there first, touched it past her and then tapped it into the empty net.
The halt-time score of 3-0 remained till the final whistle.
While the New Zealanders came away with the three points, the players and staff felt there was a lot left to be desired from their performance.
Group A standings
