U17s the heroes NZF needs
Just when Kiwi football fans thought all hope of a feelgood story this year was lost, a group of teenage girls have become the heroes the game needs.
The New Zealand under-17 women’s team’s charge to a historic semifinal berth at their World Cup is a timely reminder of the joy football can bring.
First, it was the reactions of the players and coaches after their shootout win over Japan.
Then, it was the videos of the Football Ferns celebrating the victory from their camp in New Caledonia as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification.
It was nice to smile about football again. To have those chills run down your spine. To have the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
There have been more than a few villains in New Zealand football this year.
Former NZF chief executive Andy Martin and his poor administration of that organisation. Andreas Heraf and his bullying ways as Ferns coach and NZF technical director. Even the Wellington Phoenix’s constant stumbles continue to bring pessimism to their fans.
If ever the game needed a few heroes, it was now.
The clearout at the top-end of NZF has taken place. The Ferns have a new coach in Tom Sermanni. The timing was perfect as football in this country looks to put this tumultuous year behind it and move on into a brighter future.
There was a deep, rich irony that it was Japan of all the countries which New Zealand knocked out.
Without wanting to dwell too much on the past, it’s impossible to forget Japan were the team which the Football Ferns lost 3-1 to in June, setting off the series of events which led to Heraf resigning as both Ferns coach and technical director.
‘‘We will never have that quality to compete with Japan and even be better than Japan. That’s not working,’’ Heraf said after the match, pointing to the populations of each country for his reasoning.
Well, Anna Leat, Amelia Abbott, Aneka Mittendorff and the rest of their team-mates made a mockery of that statement.
They did so with a group of talented, determined players who, with the help of coach Leon Birnie, have developed a strong team spirit.
Their collective effort has made them a very hard team to beat and they showed the country what they were capable of.
In celebrating their quarterfinal win, the players linked arms in a huddle beside the pitch and sung Macklemore’s song Glorious.
‘‘I made it through the darkest part of the night . . . and now I see the sunrise,’’ they sang.
Welcome to New Zealand football’s sunrise.
Isn’t it glorious?