Experience, youth in Olympics squads
Experience and youth characterise the men’s and women’s teams for the Tokyo Olympics confirmed yesterday by New Zealand Football and the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
The Football Ferns will rely on a core of experience — Abby Erceg, Ria Percival, Anna Green and Ali Riley will be playing at their fourth Olympics — while talent from the bronze-medal-winning under-17s is also coming through via striker Gabi Rennie (yet to be capped at senior level) and goalkeeper Anna Leat.
Led by Burnley striker Chris Wood and Minnesota United centre back Michael Boxall, back for their second Olympics, the men’s team features a host of exciting talent, such as Liberato Cacace, Ben Waine and Joe Bell.
“Tokyo 2020 is key for reigniting our women’s and men’s high performance programmes,” said New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell.
“The impact of Covid-19 has been massive on our international activity, so we’re delighted with the opportunity to get our national teams playing again.
“For the Football Ferns, Tokyo
2020 marks the beginning of the build-up for the biggest prize of all — hosting the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup on home soil.
“A blend of experience and potential makes up the Football Ferns squad, and we’re starting to see some of our most exciting talent, already versed in succeeding at Fifa events, come through to the senior side.
“For our men’s side, Tokyo 2020 helps to restart preparations for qualifying for the 2022 Fifa World Cup. The side is an incredible group of young talent, guided by some of our most accomplished senior players, which makes for a dynamic team playing football for New Zealand in Tokyo.”
The Football Ferns play in Group G with Australia, who they start their campaign against on July 21, Sweden and the United States.
The men play in Group B and begin against South Korea on July 22 before facing Honduras and Romania.
The women’s tournament features
12 teams, the men’s 16.
For the Football Ferns, Tokyo marks the buildup for the biggest prize of all — hosting the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup on home soil.
Andrew Pragnell