The Football Ferns have confirmed two matches against 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinalists Japan.
New Zealand will face the seventh-ranked Japan on Saturday, June 1 June NZ Time (Friday, May 31 local) and Tuesday, June 4 NZT (Monday, June 3 local) as the team continues to build up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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The games will be played at Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain, kicking off at 4pm local time (2am NZT).
Head coach Jitka Klimková sees the matches as perfect preparation for Paris 2024.
“We know at the Olympics we will be facing some really top sides so it is important to build up to it with games against similarly ranked opponents
“Japan were impressive at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and will provide a real challenge for us with a different playing style than we have come up against in recent fixtures.
“These matches will also be an opportunity for some of the newer players who have come into the squad to test themselves against a really top side as we continue to build towards the Olympics and the future.”
New Zealand has been drawn in Group A at Paris 2024 alongside reigning Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Canada, Colombia and hosts France.
FOOTBALL FERNS SCHEDULE
FRIENDLIES
Japan vs New Zealand
2am Saturday, June 1 NZT (4pm Friday, May 31 local)
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain
Japan vs New Zealand
2am Tuesday, June 4 NZT (4pm Monday, June local)
Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain
PARIS OLYMPICS
Canada vs New Zealand
3am Friday, July 26 NZT (5pm Thursday, July 25 local)
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France
New Zealand vs Colombia
3am Monday, July 29 NZT (5pm Sunday, July 28 local)
Stade de Lyon, Lyon, France
New Zealand vs France
Thursday, August 1 August NZT (Wednesday 31 July local)
KO 7am (9pm local)
Stade de Lyon, Lyon, France