Confident Nayler is playing for keeps
As she approaches her 50th game for the Football Ferns, goalkeeper Erin Nayler is reaping the benefits of playing professionally.
After a season at French heavyweights Lyon, where she ended up going out on loan, the 25-year-old moved west and joined Bordeaux in July.
‘‘I’ve kind of established myself as the No 1 keeper and I’m really enjoying it,’’ she said. ‘‘I’ve only had two games so far, but I’ll get to play against [big teams] Lyon and PSG so that will be really exciting.’’
Nayler said the biggest thing she had gained in her first year as a professional was added confidence.
‘‘I’ve learnt a whole different side of the game and I’ve experienced a new approach to the game.
‘‘I’ve been able to pick up a lot of new skills in France. For example, goalkeepers work a lot with their feet here, so it’s been very good for me to able to develop that part of my game.
‘‘Now that I’m the starting keeper with Bordeaux, and I’ve got a few games under my belt, it’s really made me more confident, especially as a leader on the field.’’
Nayler’s 50th Ferns cap should come in today’s friendly against the United States in Cincinnati (kickoff noon, NZ time), four-and-a-half years after her debut against Italy in early 2013.
‘‘ It’s crazy to think that I’ve played 50 games already. It’s gone so fast,’’ she said.
The Ferns are looking to bounce back after losing 3-1 to the US in Denver on Saturday, in the first of two matches on this tour, and Nayler said they would be better for having that outing - their first since March - under their belts.
‘‘We know the US are a really strong team, but we believe in ourselves and that we can get a result against them.
‘‘We know how they play now, we’ve got all the nerves out in that first game.’’
Joining Nayler in the Ferns’ goalkeeping ranks on this tour are Vic Esson, a 26-year-old seeking her first cap, and Anna Leat, a 16-year-old who came off the bench twice at the Cyprus Cup at the start of the year, when she was still 15.
‘‘They’re both great to work with, and they’re both continually pushing me and learning,’’ said Nayler.
Esson and Leat are two of several relatively new faces in the Ferns mix at present, and Nayler said it had been refreshing having a bit of change in the squad.