Bit harsh to have a go at the player about this. If you look at all of the actual quotes in the article there is nothing overtly out of order from her....
When the forward heard her name on the list she was “so excited”
She had the “privileged pressure” of playing in a home World Cup and it was a “dream come true”
She said being in this environment since she was 16, there will be no hiding at this World Cup – eager to prove how valuable she can be.
Jale said it’s been hard as others, including teammates, have asked if her reason for lack of game time is because she’s carrying an injury – which she confirmed to the Herald was not the case
“They (the coaches) like me out on the wing. But I’ve got a lot of comments about wasting my potential upfront as a striker, which I would love, or just in the midfield as an attacking midfielder.
“I would love to be on the ball a bit more and not be trapped to the sideline.”
“I want the best for the team, so whatever that is, I’m happy.
“The tournament hasn’t started yet, so I got to keep my hopes high and keep working to try and stamp my mark on the team.”
And also the coach could front foot something like that by explaining her selection. If a player, particularly a proven goal scorer, is heavily involved and then not fans and journos are going to ask why. It’d save a lot of amateur sleuthing…
Unless it’s a ‘surprise’ selection to catch opponents off guard or some such…
When the coach sees you as a winger yet you say you don't want to be trapped out on the sideline.....you cant expect to see much game time. Verbal suicide that.
Maybe in hindsight she wouldnt say that to the media again but who knows maybe playing some reverse psychology with the staff through the media. Either way terrible read.
if she's said it to the media chances are she's verbalised it to the coachng team - no harm in doing that of course but you'd have to be prepared for the consequences.
If Hannah Wilkinson can't step up with at least a goal this tournament, then the Ferns really need to look beyond her to the likes of Jale, Clegg for Olympics next year. Possibly should have done that already, but she is there for now. And with her size will be a presence / threat against the Philippines. Not so much against the European teams. Be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Jales not up to it. See very little from her in the w-league and if anything good is produced it is out wide. I'm no fan of Klimkova but she's got it right. Happy to be proven wrong though. She should've never been picked as a 16 years ago so many years ago.....thats where coaches have let her down in the past. She was fast tracked too soon.
Clegg raw talent shes the NZs Theo Wallcott - given us glimpses for club and picked for a WC but will she see game time? i think she does.....i think she scores against a minnow in the group. She comes on before Jale for me. But again i hope she hasnt been picked to soon as was Jale. We just have no depth in attack in this country...dire really.
Jale seemed to be able to get a shot on target and head the ball in the box. As long as the players ahead of her are better than her, I don’t mind. It just seems an odd bit of selection to be all in on her and now be entirely out.
To be fair, Klimkova did give a few players the opportunity up front. Rennie, Stachell and Jale all got a run of games in the starting XI when the formation was a front 2.. None of them really took there chance and cemented there spot. IP Riley looks like she has been given the nod now in a front 3 along with Hand. And from the little I've seen of IP Riley, she looks like a good selection. I would have thought Jale would be a great bench option if Wilkinson is not firing. But it looks like Rennie will have that role with her energy.
Really tragic that every time we play Norway, there's a mass shooting. I remember the last time we played Norway in Oslo June last year in a friendly, there was a terrorist attack the night before the game with the same number of victims (two) but 21 injured when an Islamic terrorist shot up three bars in the city centre. Hence their was much increased security at the match with armed police and soldiers everywhere These kinds of incidents always put a bit of a damper on a match as a celebration of football. But we can't let one twisted, crazy evil arsehole put us off enjoying our football. GO THE FERNS !!!!!!
The problem is non of the other options are really any better then Jale, like was mention she has managed to head the get a shot on goal. I'm hoping it's mind games to fire her up a bit for a cameo off the bench.
Norway not impressive so far. Bott is NZs best player for sure. Stott also dealt with anything Norway had to offer. Hand is pretty poor. Wilkinson can hardly kick it. But another half like that I guess NZ will be well happy. Our delivery not good enough, Chance or Foster could improve that.
They were my two too. Still pinching myself this team had this in them. Great shape, composure, passing, tenacity. What a goal. Only thing is I’d rather the forwards stay on tired than make the subs we did.
I've been a vocal critic (I think fairly) of the team in recent times here.
So I ought to say - that was my favourite game I've ever seen live and a magical win for football in NZ. Don't stop believing I guess!
To her credit, Jitka set the team up wonderfully and made all the right selections, and she said we would be "gritty" - we weren't just gritty but aggressive in a good way, tenaciously got stuck into every tackle, every player ran their absolute heart out and even though the chances were pretty even, we genuinely deserved the win and it wasn't a sharkhousery/defensive nervewreck or anything like people may have expected. Equal shots, equal possession and we had them rattled nearly the whole game. Let's hope we can build on this terrific start and get what we need to progress from the group stage (and ideally win our group!).
Vic Esson - solid when we needed her, did very well playing out from the back and helping us keep as much possession as we did.
Backline - Stott and Bowen were solid as, won heaps in the air, helped playing out from the back, Bunge did well too when she came on. Fullbacks Ali Riley and CJ Bott - both were absolutely awesome, I think Ali Riley really showed her natural leadership abilities and worked her arse off more than nearly everyone out there. CJ Bott good going forward and I think was involved in the goal (?), although did get troubled by Haavi on their left wing second half.
Midfield - forget the penalty miss, we look a different team with Ria in it. Her ability to find the pass, help us control the ball and be there both defensively and going forward, awesome. Hassett was decent and got away a few times on the left side - maybe should have made more of those breakaways. Malia Steinmetz though... what an absolute terrier. I love a player that gets stuck in and that's really what she brings to our midfield, not only going into all those tackles and contesting every damn ball but also driving forwards into the final third and looking bloody threatening while doing so. My player of the match (maybe Wilkinson though).
IP Riley and Jacqui Hand - I think both were decent and worked hard to get on those long balls in the first half without quite producing the quality to create a good chance from them. Second half were decent when needed on transition, and of course Hand with a very good assist for the goal.
Wilkinson - has got a LOT of criticism in these types of forums and I think it's only fair people admit they were wrong this time. Held the ball up superbly in the first half and played on teammates, was so mobile and tried to do things even that aren't her natural strengths, then obviously was there when needed for the finish for 1-0.
I was really impressed with Steinmetz, thought she controlled the middle really well and shut Norway down a lot playing out of the back or troubling them when we had turned over the ball up front.
I am not a Wilkinson fan but she finished off the excellent move for the goal so deserves her accolade for that, and good luck to her. I will save my criticisms for a later day.
Hand had a much better second half, probably got a lot of confidence after providing the goal,which was obviously a perfect cross.
tbh I thought the best performers were the other 9 players. Bott was exceptional. Stott and Bowen dealt well with any threats the Norway forwards had, and our midfield was much better than Norway all game.
Hassetts industry was of great value but its not really her position. Im a bit surprised Chance wasnt in there.
Playing like that , we should beat the Phillipines but our combined group of forwards are going to have to do their bit to make sure that happens.
2023-07-21 12_57_09-Window.png30.68 KB The only tickets left for their next match in Wellington on the resale website. (The main ticket website only has wheelchair tickets for sale)
2023-07-21 12_57_09-Window.png30.68 KB The only tickets left for their next match in Wellington on the resale website. (The main ticket website only has wheelchair tickets for sale)
I've made the gamble and bought tickets to the Auckland round of 16 match on Saturday 5 August. Ferns will be there if they win the group, which I believe they will be in the driving seat for if they beat the Phillipines. Plenty of tickets available if anybody else wants to take the risk. Will be the hottest ticket in town by the time the Ferns get there (if they are to make it).
I'm sorry, they are going to finish 2nd in the group and play in Wellington instead...
Call yourself a Ferns fan with such pessimism?! But in all seriousness it's great that we have a great chance to play a knockout game at home and not join South Africa and Qatar in the club of World Cup hosts to go out in the group stage. Here's hoping a Switzerland/Norway draw follows us beating the Phillipines and we wrap it up with a game to spare.
Edit: suppose a Switzerland win would do the job for us too but would increase the risk of us finishing second rather than first