The Ford Football Ferns have two top European opponents to look forward to in FIFA’s June international window, as they take on 11th-ranked FIFA-ranked Norway in Norway and 31st-ranked FIFA-ranked Wales in Spain in two international friendlies.

The Ferns will face Norway in Oslo at 5:00 p.m. June 25 local time / 3:00 a.m. June 26 NZT, before traveling to Pinatar, Spain to face Wales at 7:00 p.m. June 28 local time / 5:00 a.m. June 29 NZT .

“These games provide a great opportunity to continue to learn more about our group of players, to create a stronger culture within the team and to play games in Europe where many of our players are based and will not have not endure long journeys,” says Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková.

“We realized in Australia that if we stay connected on and off the pitch, we can take on any opponent in the world.

“As we continue our preparations for the opening game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, we are delighted to have confirmed this high-calibre opposition. Norway and Wales are both in good form and are at important times in their own preparation for the Euros and of course and World Cup qualification, so they will be very competitive opponents.

Norway will consider this game as an important part of their preparation for the UEFA Women’s Euro in July, where they will be drawn in Group A alongside hosts England, Austria and Austria. North Ireland. Recently buoyed by the return of inaugural Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Ada Hegerberg, the quarter-finalists of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 finished third in the Algarve Cup in February. Currently top of Group F of UEFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifiers, Norway are unbeaten in the qualifiers so far.

The Ford Football Ferns last faced Norway in the 2020 Algarve Cup in the third place play-off where they were beaten 2-1, Hannah Wilkinson for the Ferns. They have faced Norway eight times since their first meeting in 1981 and have a 2-2-4 win-draw-loss record.

Wales will see this fixture as a vital part of their preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifying round. Led by Jess Fishlock of OL Reign in NWSL and captain Sophie Ingle who plays for Chelsea , they resume their qualifying campaign. in September when they face Greece and Slovenia. They are currently second in UEFA Qualifying Group I and will be aiming to cement their place in the play-offs and ultimately qualify for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Ford Football Ferns last faced Wales in a friendly ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, losing 1-0. It will be just their third meeting with Wales, having won the first game between the two sides in 2011 2-0 thanks to goals from Anna Green and Amber Hearn.

June FIFA International Window Match Schedule

VS Norway

5:00 p.m. June 25 local time / 3:00 a.m. June 26 NZTUllevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway

VS Wales

7:00 p.m. June 28 local time / 5:00 a.m. June 29 NZT

Pinatar Arena, Pinatar, Spain

Article added: Wednesday, May 04, 2022