The Football Ferns will return to action in June with two friendly matches against Venezuela in southern Spain. These will be the first-ever senior international meetings between the two nations.
New Zealand, ranked 32nd in the FIFA women’s world rankings, will take on 51st-ranked Venezuela. The first match is scheduled for the Marbella Football Centre in San Pedro de Alcántara. The second game will also be held in the region, though the exact venue has yet to be announced.
Venezuela are expected to include striker Mariana Speckmaier, a former Wellington Phoenix player now with Melbourne City.
Michael Mayne will continue as interim head coach for the Ferns during this tour. New Zealand Football has confirmed they expect to appoint a new permanent head coach before the end of May.
Mayne said the matches are an important opportunity after their previous window, scheduled against Chinese Taipei in April, was canceled due to poor pitch conditions.
“After the disappointment of not being able to play in the last international window, securing games for June was crucial,” said Mayne. “It’s important for us to keep building on the work we’ve done this year.”
He added that Venezuela is a good match-up for the current phase of development.
“They have a player in Mariana Speckmaier who our team knows well,” Mayne said. “It was important to find opponents who could challenge us and allow us to test our progress. Venezuela will give us that.”
Mayne praised his squad for embracing a new playing style and strategy. “The team has responded really well to the new ideas and playing model. I’m looking forward to getting to Spain and helping the players put in strong performances.”
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