New Zealand vs. Norway
The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is off to a cracking start following a sensational shocker in the very first match! Co-hosts New Zealand upset heavily-favored Norway to claim their first ever win at a Women’s World Cup Finals. Jitka Klimková’s Football Ferns claim a European scalp via a 1-0 victory over Hege Riise’s Grasshoppers. A rapturous crowd of over 42,000 at Eden Park in Auckland cheered their girls on to victory.
A Hannah Wilkinson goal in the 48th proved the difference. Ria Percival had a chance to double the advantage from the spot in the 90th, yet struck the crossbar after New Zealand were awarded a handball penalty. Frida Maanum and Ada Hegerberg supplied some offensive spark for the losing side. In the final analysis, however, the New Zealand win must be described as a dominant and highly deserved one.
Tactical Analysis: New Zealand
Practically all commentators and prognosticators gave the co-hosts virtually no chance of finally winning their first WWC fixture prior to the start of this tournament. While the recent form of Klimková’s side certainly rendered such predictions logical enough, we learned today that a group of experienced and determined players in a simple tactical set-up can always execute on any given day. The New Zealand XI appeared fit and drilled in a simple 4-4-2
Lineup—New Zealand—Match One (4-4-2)
The top two axes generally remained rigid in the opening 45. One could see this quite clearly off-the-ball on the overhead cam. The WWC debutant Malia Steinmetz and legendary leader Ria Percival kept close to one another, working a fairly obvious (and highly logical) split-stagger in the midfield. The former acted as a shuttle-carrier whilst the latter hung back to help the defense. Apart from this little bit of nuance, it was pleasingly disciplined and hard-nosed 4-4-2 straight out of a normal day at the park from years past. The writer happened to absolutely love it!
After Jacqui Hand and Hannah Wilkinson combined for the opening goal shortly after the restart, the two strikers and their direct buttressing supporter confidently and creatively engaged in some improvised rotations. The co-hosts won the first-half with a ferocious team performance that saw them collectively win nearly 80 percent of the ground duels, then converted their hard-earned confidence into a dominant offensive display in the second 45. Hand, CJ Bott, and India-Paige Riley also got great looks in.
Norwegian keeper Aurora Mikalsen robbed India Riley of a dream-goal in the 62nd. Ria Percival just barely missed a sensational 2-0 in the 76th prior to her strike off the crossbar from the spot in the 90th. Overall, it was immensely impressive how the hosts closed the match out. For the most part, Jitka Klimková’s gals were able to keep their opponents away from goal and restricting space whenever the Grasshoppers were able to work their way into range. Few watching this match will have considered a Norwegian comeback likely.
The momentum simply never swung the other way until a pair of chances for the guests deep into second-half injury time. At that point, the eventual winners were clearly gassed and a tad disorganized. As we move onto the top performers from the camp of the victors, it seems genuinely unfair that we can only cover a few. Everyone on Klimková’s side – literally without exception – played well. Squad skipper Ali Riley – donning the armband for her second World Championship – receives an honorable mention before we move on. She executed some great tackles.
Top Performers, New Zealand
1) CJ Bott
An absolutely beastly performance from the undisputed “Woman-of-the-match”. The Ferns owe their right-back a great debt of gratitude for the manner in which she set the tone early. The former Carl Zeiss Jena professional proved absolutely fearless in her direct duels right from the start. Bott courageously took the ball off Julie Blakstad no fewer than three times in the opening half-hour and easily won a dozen or more ground challenges in the first-half. She also unlocked Wilkinson and India Riley on early chances.
2) Rebekah Stott
Two crucial blocks on Hegerberg in the first half from the 91-times-capped veteran. The Brighton & Hove Albion defender broke up play excellently, ensuring that the likes of Frida Maanum and Carline Graham Hansen were frustrated early. A truly touching gesture from Klimková to pull Stott early so as to give her the chance to receive a standing ovation from the crowd. One genuinely couldn’t have written a better script for the star who fought her way back from a grim cancer diagnosis just in time to partake in this competition.
3) India-Paige Riley
Wilkinson and Hand claim permanent ink on the scoresheet. The 21-year-old phenom – whom many of us are observing for the first time – generates the most amount of excitement moving forward. She peeled off half-a-dozen long dribbles and – along with Steinmetz and occasionally even center back Katie Bowen – showed absolutely no hesitation in bravely carrying the ball from the deep. A talent we were all eager to watch truly delivered. So much to look forward to here.
Tactical Analysis: Norway
When the team sheets were released, one could intuitively sense that Riise’s system was meant to function as a 5-4-1/4-3-3 hybrid. Indeed, this is how the 1995 World Champion has been lining the team up since taking over for Martin Sjörgen after last Summer’s disappointing Euro campaign. The Grasshoppers actually encountered difficulty holding both shapes. For the most part, they veered closer to the 5-4-1 on the overhead.
Lineup—Norway—Match One (5-4-1)
The four attackers tasked with supporting Ada Hegerberg routinely found themselves short on space. In point of fact, the compact nature of the second and third axes even enabled New Zealand to roll off “kick-and-rush” counters far too easily. Riise shall surely catch some flak for this, despite the fact the XI did furnish some quality builds and artistry in the final third.
One can probably predict two to three personnel changes in the defensive corps ahead of the next match. It’s also very likely that Ingrid Syrstad Engen shall receive a partner in defensive midfield. An even safer double-six set-up might function better. A tad more experience on the left side of defense might prove useful.
Top Performer, Norway
1) Emile Haavi
The writer himself might catch some flak for this, considering that the AS Roma professional picked up the lone booking of the match after she was introduced early in the second half. The fact remains that she at least displayed some feistiness and fight down the stretch. The 30-year-old resurgent vet was involved on all of her team’s chances down the stretch. Riise will probably consider her for the next XI, though the card might keep her out.